Remember When?

With only hours to go before the filing deadline, two locals threw their hats into the Fayette County Democratic Party Primary ring, one for county judge. Fritz E. Lobpries filed for the top job, facing Lee Mueller Jr. Both candidates lived in La Grange. The victor would succeed David M. Murray, who did not seek a second elective term. Mr. Lobpries was superintendent of county schools, a post that was being phased out at the end of the year. A three-way contest for Precinct 2 commissioner also emerged on the last day for filing when Clinton P. Krause of Warrenton made his bid. He had been defeated for the position four years before by the incumbent, Paul Jaster. Also running against Mr. Jaster was Elmo A. Pietsch. Harvey Albers of Warrenton, Precinct 2 justice of the peace, who was seeking reelection, was challenged by Sid Engstrom on the final day to file.

Demand for nitrogen and phosphate fertilizers in 1974 could surpass supply, according to William W. Wilson, executive director of the Fayette County Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service. Fertilizer prices had gone up substantially since October, when federal price controls were removed. It was estimated that one ton of fertilizer would cost over $100 in 1974, compared with $75 in 1973. American farmers were expected to spend more than $4 billion on fertilizer in 1974, a 40% increase over the prior year.

At the monthly meeting of the La Grange Chamber of Commerce, it decided to establish a group of representatives from all area organizations to work with the hospital board to recruit another doctor for La Grange. The need for a modern airport was also discussed.

Funeral services were held for: Anton Weber, 86, of La Grange; Fred F. Ulrich, 69, of Ammannsville; Elo Tietjen, 77, of Rutersville; Mrs. Antonie Spies, 84, of La Grange; Miss Paula Olle, 76, of Schulenburg; Coach Bob Johnson’s La Grange Leopards mounted a fourth-quarter scoring offensive at Yoakum Tuesday night to handily conquer the host Bulldogs, 59-44. Four Leopards hit in dual digits during the game. Johnny Johnson set the pace with 18, Tommy Taylor chimed in with 13, Steve Kovar had 12 and Neal Miller bucketed 10. The results left the Leps in third place in west zone District 13-3A standings.

La Grange city office and councilmen, along with city employees, gathered at City Hall Monday afternoon to welcome the new city manager, Jimmy Freeman. Mr. Freeman was staying in the Stolz apartment until he found a home for his wife and family.

The La Grange Rotary Club was introducing the senior class to the civic organization by inviting a different student to attend a regular weekly meeting as a guest. Plans for the pancake supper on Feb. 8 were underway. Rotary had partially funded the heart monitors at Fayette Memorial Hospital and lights at the airport in 1973.

La Grange’s volunteer firefighters were on the run Monday afternoon, making three out-of-town calls within two hours. The first was a car fire on a county road several miles east of La Grange, where a Rambler station wagon was practically destroyed by the time firefighters arrived. The next call was a grass fire south of Hwy. 159 across from Burkett’s Mill. About 10 acres had been burned by the time firefighters reached the scene and extinguished the blaze. The third call was to douse an outof- control trash fire on a county road off FM 155, just south of the city. Firefighters said the blaze had spread across the road and was threatening two abandoned houses when the alarm was called in. During the back-to-back calls, the Bronco, driven by Fire Chief Rudolph Voss, collided with a patrol car operated by Patrolman Jack W. Ingram at the intersection in downtown La Grange. Damage was not extensive.

Fayette County Sheriff T. J. Flournoy reported that DWI offenders were jailed on: Jan. 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 13, 14, 26, 27 and 28. The sheriff’s office put 39 prisoners in jail and collected $3,811 in fines and fees for the county in January.

Mrs. Martha Lehmann of Winchester celebrated her 90th birthday on Sunday, Feb. 3, at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Milton Pampell. Her eight children, their spouses and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, were in attendance.

The Fayetteville Lionettes won the outright girls’ basketball championship of District 57-B at Brookshire’s Royal High School. Fayetteville led all the way, amassing an 1815 halftime advantage and continuing to build the point spread in the final two quarters. Delia Kulhanek led Lionette point makers with 18. She was closely followed by Sharon Pfughaupt, who hit 15.

Airman Charles M. Haschke, the son of Henry E. Haschke of La Grange and Mildred M. Haschke of Austin, was assigned to Lowry Air Force Base in Colorado after completing basic training. Airman Haschke, a 1969 LGHS graduate, was to receive specialized training as a missile electronic systems specialist.

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