Remember When?

Jan. 25-29, 1974

Approximately $880 was collected by 50 ladies and 18 schoolgirls who canvassed the residential areas of La Grange Monday night for the annual National Foundation – March of Dimes Mothers March. The 1974 total, although not yet complete, was greater than the amount realized in the Mothers March in 1973 but slightly below contributions collected in 1972. Fayette County Chapter Chair E.J. Goerig of La Grange reported that Schulenburg raised $381.58 and Flatonia solicitors collected $249.06 in their campaigns.

Bids from two local dealerships, Brasher Motor Company and La Grange Motor Company, for a new compact station wagon for the new city manager were opened and reviewed by La Grange City Council. The council then passed the proposals over to the utilities and street and bridge committee for study with authorization to proceed with a purchase order following its review.

La Grange City Council also approved the lease contract for the pavilion and rodeo arena at the fairgrounds with the Fayette County Roundup Club. It then authorized $200 for paint and materials for interior improvements at the Teenville building located on the city park in the southern part of the city, the meeting place for the new Lions Club-sponsored Leo Club. City council members went on to discuss planting another tree on the city hall grounds to replace one that had died.

Candidates were slowly filing for places on the May 4 Democratic primary ballot. Lloyd J. Dippel announced he would seek another term as country treasurer. Others who had previously filed for re-nomination were: Walter Schaefer for district clerk, Paul Jaster for Precinct 2 commissioner and John A. Kubena for county clerk. Lee Mueller Jr. had announced his bid for county judge.

The Chicken Ranch east of La Grange had supposedly been sold to two Houston attorneys. Two instruments regarding the sale of the property together with all improvements had been recorded in the Fayette County Courthouse the previous weekend. One was a warranty deed from Edna Milton Davidson and husband Glen Davidson to Michael E. McCrory, trustee, involving 12.537 acres in the John Eblin League, Abstract 42. The other was a deed of trust from Michael E. McCrory to Charles Armstrong, trustee for Port City State Bank, involving the same tract of land.

Dennis Zbranek, a La Grange Leopard Band senior member, earned a position in the 1974 All-State Band at a meet in Austin.

Shades of 1973! When the prior year ended with a total of 55.08 inches of rain, it was thought that would be a mark that would stay around for a while. However, 1974 was off to a wet start. Precipitation at La Grange as of 7 a.m., Jan. 24, for the month was a whopping 5.02 inches, compared to 4.24 inches gauged at the same time in 1973. Rainfall reports called into KVLG noted 3.5 inches northwest of Fayetteville, 2.2 inches at Mecklenburg, 2.3 inches at Rutersville, 2.2 inches at Hostyn and 1.4 inches at Plum. Normal rainfall for the month of January was 2.72 inches.

Misfortune befell La Grange Leopard basketballers at Altair Tuesday night with all three quintets dropping their encounters with the Rice Consolidated Raiders. The Lep varsity team raced to a 25-14 first-quarter advantage, but then began losing ground and lost in the end, 80-66. Johnny Johnson scored 18 points, Steve Kovar had 12 and Neal Miller contributed 10. La Grange’s junior varsity lost its tilt by a 66-54 score. Jeff Lindemann pointed 16 times and Gary Matocha had 19. The La Grange freshmen lost their third game of the campaign, 61-51, after 12 victories. The Leps’ Thomas Matocha hit for 24 and Thomas Supak made 11 points.

Prison terms of five and three years were meted out for two defendants in the 155th District Court of Fayette County by Judge Paul Huser. They were charged with burglary with intent to commit theft in connection with a break-in at Schulenburg Industries on Nov. 12 in which payroll checks and other items were stolen. Fayette County Sheriff’s officers drove the pair to prison at Huntsville two days later.

Funeral services were held for: Emil Janssen, 78, of Rutersville; V.R. Hackebeil, 35, of Warrenton; Louis C. Konvicka, 68, of Fayetteville; Elo Schertz, 69, of Fayetteville; and Joseph T. Zapalac, 78, of Fayetteville.

Mr. and Mrs. Emil Hagens were honored on their golden wedding anniversary by their children and grandchildren at the Ammannsville Hall on Dec. 15. Mrs. Hagens was the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Paul Jaenichen and Mr. Hagens, a World War I veteran, was the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. George Hagens. They met at a youth gathering at Philadelphia Lutheran Church and were united in marriage on Dec. 12, 1923, at the home of the bride’s parents. The Hagens then moved to their home on the farm where Mr. Hagens was born.

Mr. and Mrs. Rudolph Noska of Ellinger celebrated their golden wedding anniversary with a Mass of Thanksgiving at St. Mary’s Catholic Church near Ellinger with Rev. Francis Kolar officiating. Rudolph Noska and Emilie Ruether were married Jan. 22, 1924, by the late Rev. John Vanicek at St. John’s Catholic Church in Fayetteville.

At the annual La Grange Chamber of Commerce banquet, President John W. Bouldin presented a plaque to Miss Hattie Kruschel honoring her and her three sisters for their many contributions to La Grange’s civic betterment.