1973: Fayette County Sets Record Taxes/Fees Collection

For the first time in history, Fayette County took in more than $1.5 million in taxes and fees, according to Assessor-Collector Gilbert H. Eck. The exact number was $1,552,126.37. The largest chunk of that total was state, county and school taxes, which came to $992,182.63. The next highest category was motor vehicle registration fees of $331,330.44, which were split between the state and county. The motor vehicle sales and use tax was another big item, bringing in $220,386.36. At yearend, 98.47% of the county’s taxes had been collected. Only $15,846.32 was counted as delinquent.

One of the three crewmen of the Skylab 2 astronaut team, who blasted off Saturday morning for a 59-day space stay, was known to a number of people in and around La Grange. Mission Commander Navy Captain Alan L. Bean, age 41, had been the speaker at the May 1965 La Grange High School commencement exercises. Should the mission be successful, Captain Bean would be the world champion for time spent in space. He became a ‘world traveler’after the Apollo 12 mission.

The Rev. Albert E. Flathmann Sr., 75, a minister of The American Lutheran Church for over 50 years, died Sunday morning in La Grange. In March 1962, Pastor Flathmann came to La Grange to serve the Ellinger-Prairie Valley-Rutersville parish with the Rev. Raymond Durst. Starting in 1963, he served St. John Lutheran Church, Ellinger, and St. Peter Lutheran Church, Prairie Valley. Rev. Flathmann had retired about a year before his death.

The grand opening for La Grange’s new Western Auto Associate Store was set for Sat., July 28. The new business, owned and operated by Bob S. Morris, was located at 130 N. Washington in the building formerly occupied by Perry Bros.

During the afternoon, John Schella, a renowned Houston Aeros professional hockey player, was making a special guest appearance.

La Grange had a temporary helicopter port in its downtown area on Saturday when a Bell Ranger landed on the vacant lot at the corner of Crockett and Jefferson. Onboard was professional hockey player John Schella, who was in town for the opening of the new Western Auto Associate Store. He was accompanied by E.Z. Jones, the vice president and co-owner of the Houston Aeros Hockey Club.

In 1974, there would be no government set-aside of farmland such as feed grains, cotton or wheat, according to the Fayette County Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service committee.

Jerry Dean Jacob became Carmine’s first mayor following the election held Saturday. Jacob, a partner in Jacob’s Store, grocers, feed and egg merchants, polled 80 of the 98 votes cast. Five alderman candidates, W.J. Neese, J.C. Pohl, W.O. Rauch, Emil Albers and Raymond Steinbach, were also elected. Melvin Schoenst was named city marshal.

Funeral services were held for: Mrs. Annie K. Wessels, 86, of Prairie Valley; Erwin H. Reuter, 71, of Rutersville; W.H. Drawe, 77, a Fayette County native; Malcolm J. Skalitsky, 31, a Fayette County native; Fred Janda, 79, of La Grange; George L. Perrard, 82, a former Fayette County resident; and Mrs. Marie Vasek, 83, of Ammannsville.

Seventeen-year-old Cindy Petras, representing the Holman local, was crowned 1973 queen of the Fayette County Farm Bureau. A brown-haired beauty, Cindy was the daughter of Mrs. Amanda Petras and the late Judge Ike J. Petras. The first runner- up was Carolyn Lehmann, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Louis P. Lehmann, representing the Warda local. Little Beverly Freytag of Flatonia, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Freytag, was crowned Little Miss. Eileen Mikus and Marcia Vitek presented a vocal duet with Miss Mikus at the piano to win the talent quest without opposition. Fayette County Farm Bureau president Elmo Minzenmeyer gave the welcome and Don Chovanec of KVLG served as master of ceremonies at the event.

The La Grange Little League All-Stars, who copped their Area III opener, included:, James Teinert, Marvin Marburger, Richard Chovanec, Bruce Mozisek, Michael Kinslow, Ronnie Pietsch, Donald Kruppa, Kenny Weber, Stanley Krebs, John Lindemann, Gregory Trlicek, Billy Roitsch, Darren Kolbe and Michael Kovar. Clement Trlicek was the manager and the coach was Leslie Kovar.

An open house honoring Mr. and Mrs. Malcolm Kaltwasser on their 25th wedding anniversary was set for Sun., July 29 from 4 to 9 p.m. at their home on FM 155.

Dr. James Tiemann was elected president of the 1974 Fayette County Junior Livestock Show. Other officers were: Leslie Giese, vice president; Ronnie Voss, secretary; and George Hajovsky, treasurer.

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