Remember When?

Walter P. Freytag was retiring after serving as postmaster of La Grange for 24 years. The late President Harry S. Truman granted Mr. Freytag’s commission in 1950. A native of Gonzales, Mr. Freytag grew up and graduated from Flatonia High School. He attended Texas A&M University where he received his Bachelor’s degree in 1927 and did graduate work. He taught in the county’s rural schools before being elected county school superintendent in 1938. During World War II, Mr. Freytag was stationed in Washington, D.C., with military intelligence, retiring as a captain. When he was elected mayor of La Grange for one term, Mr. Freytag headed the Fayette County Veterans Vocational School. After 37 years with the Federal Land Bank System, Edgar A. Roitsch was retiring as manager of the Federal Land Bank Association of La Grange. He had seen the local association grow from a small home-based office to a multi-million dollar business with an office at 252 N. Main St. Mr. Roitsch was responsible for developing the prestige, reputation and volume of the business began under his father, Will Roitsch. Photos courtesy of Fayette Heritage Museum and Archives

Inflationary pressures forced a 10¢ tax rate increase upon property owners in the La Grange Independent School District. The school board voted for this hike because budget cost estimates for the new school year increased by $35,215 to cover higher costs for: local fund assignment, $7,395; insurance, $1,320; cafeteria operations, $7,500; and labor, $7,500. The increase cancelled out a 10¢ reduction the board had approved the previous year. Superintendent C.A. Lemmons said even with the new tax increase it might be necessary to cut some school services.

On the first day of summer, 32.21 inches of rain had fallen thus far in 1973, not far from La Grange’s annual total of 36.25 inches.

La Grange firefighters were called to Rocky Creek Ranch on FM 609 Monday afternoon to douse the fire on a 20-acre hay meadow controlled burn that threatened another landowner’s property.

Fayette County Judge David M. Murray was presented with a full slate of candidates for Carmine’s first city election. This included: mayor, Jerry Dean Jacob and Jack Bridie Sr.; five aldermen, J.C. Pohl, Emil Albers, W.O. Rauch, W.J. Neese and Raymond Steinbach; and city marshal, Melvin Schoenst.

Construction was underway on a brand new facility at the Fayette County Fairgrounds – the German-Czech Mart. The Green Thumb crew led by John H. Koenig was constructing the 50x64-foot structure that would house 10 food and refreshment booths during the fair.

David F. Havemann, MD, the son of Mr. and Mrs. V.F. Havemann of West Point received his Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Texas Medical School in San Antonio. He was one of the top five graduates.

The children of Mr. and Mrs. Will Rightmer of Muldoon celebrated their parents’ 70th wedding anniversary with a reception at the Muldoon Baptist Church annex. Mr. Rightmer was 88 and Mrs. Rightmer was 84. They had married on June 17, 1903, at the home of the bride’s parents in the Black Jack community.

Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church’s new education building at an estimated cost of $136,900 was the major item listed in the La Grange building permits report that totaled $374,785.

Funeral services were held for: Mrs. Walter J. Wessel, 47, of Prairie Valley; Mrs. Bettie Falke, 46, of Warda; Mrs.Antoinette Treybig, 64, of Park; and Mrs. Sophia Polasek, 85, of La Grange.

John Wilson of La Grange, who represented the Texas 30th District that included Fayette, Colorado, Gonzales, Bastrop and Lee Counties, suffered a leg fracture and other injuries in an accident on the Wilson ranch near Bastrop. A ranch employee and Mr. Wilson were loading a tractor and shredder on a trailer that toppled over on him.

Walter J. Lambert was hired as the new band director for La Grange High School. He was recruited from Lexington High School where he had taught for three years. Another new hire was Leonard E. Buchanan, a German teacher for the junior and senior high school. Both Mr. Lambert and Mr. Buchanan were graduates of Stephen F. Austin State University.

Otto Legler was reelected commander of the La Grange American Legion for his 14th term. Leon Reeder was named first vice commander; Herbert Oppermann, second vice commander; George Hajovsky, adjutant; J.D. Legler, finance officer; Walter Oeltjen, judge advocate; Edgar F. Schulz, historian; Ernest Kallus, chaplain; Leo Janda, sergeant-at-arms; Frank J. Pratka, service officer; and Clarence Schwake, child welfare chair.

Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Kraatz of the Mecklenburg community north of La Grange were showing off five big tomatoes off one stalk that weighed five pounds, 11 ounces. The largest one measured 14 inches in circumference. Although the couple didn’t recall the variety of the giants they purchased in Houston, 12 plants for $1, they said they’d fertilized the tomatoes with barnyard manure.

Mr. and Mrs. Irwin W. Speckels of Schulenburg observed their 50th wedding anniversary on Sun., June 10, with an open house at Farmers State Bank with their children and grandchildren serving as hosts. Mr. Speckels and Miss Leonida von Minden, who were married in La Grange on June 10, 1923, by the late Rev. R. Heise, had lived in Schulenburg throughout their married life. They owned the Cozy Theatre and von Minden Hotel. Mr. Speckels had served as chief of the Schulenburg Fire Department for 35 years and Mrs. Speckels had been a Girl Scout leader for 40 years.

The Round Top Rifle Association celebrated its 100th anniversary with a social for members and a free dance at night. Old-timers honored at the event included: Richard Zuehlke, 90, a 72-year member; Ernst Emmrich, 84, a 50-year member; Alfred Noak, 81, a 63-year member; Hubert Marburger, 76, a 48-year member; Rudolph Jacob, 71, a 53-year member; Herman Noak, 79, a 61-year member; Waldemar Noak, 69, a 51-year member; and Leslie Kneip, 68, a 48-year member.

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