1973 - Sale of County’s Public School Lands Recommended

The La Grange Independent School District Board of Trustees went on record as favoring the sale of Fayette County’s public school lands and permanent school fund bonds and prorating the revenue to the county’s six school districts. Involved were 4,187 acres in Baylor County and $374,625 in bonds derived from oil and grazing leases over the years. Superintendent C.A. Lemmons said since the land was valued at $125 an acre, a total sale would mean a financial windfall of $897,726 for Fayette County schools. The La Grange district’s pro rata share of 45.88% would amount to $420,982. Other school districts’ share of the proposed payout, based on the estimated sales figure, would include: Fayetteville, $73,007; Cistern, $11,553; Flatonia, $147,990; Schulenburg, $190,195; and Round Top-Carmine, $53,699.

A 1973 Chevrolet Monte Carlo stolen at Ellinger in late September was found abandoned at Gretna, La., a suburb of New Orleans, last weekend. When police recovered the stolen car, it was in reasonably good shape, although it had been involved in an accident. Several prize guns that were in the car when it was taken were not recovered. The vehicle, owned by Vernon L. Jurecka of Ellinger, went missing after a 1973 Ranchero stolen from an E. Fannin St. address in La Grange ran out of gas and was abandoned in Ellinger.

After seeking new industry for South Texas since 1926, the South Texas Chamber of Commerce canceled its industrial development program because of the grim fuel and energy outlook. The chamber had just begun compiling a directory of industrial parks and foundations in the region and a program of distribution of industrial site information to manufacturers in all parts of the country. However, the group did not cancel its tourist promotion program, giving the green light to publish a new full-color tourist promotion package geared to promoting vacations close to home.

While members of Leo Hartfield’s Green Thumb crew completed a new roof on the Carmine Fire Station, John H. Koenig’s team built a new side entrance to the station and paneled the department’s meeting hall. Green Thumb was organized in November 1969 under the sponsorship of the Texas Farmers Union. Crews worked three days a week, earning salaries paid by a federal agency. Materials were furnished by nonprofit organizations eligible for Green Thumb assistance. The same crews built the new German-Czech Mart and restrooms at the fairgrounds in La Grange and also recently had worked on Cummins Creek Watershed projects.

To cope with the energy crisis, the La Grange Chamber of Commerce encouraged local businesses around the Square and along area highways to give the community a festive atmosphere for the holiday season by putting up native trees for Christmas using only daytime decorations. The Future Farmers were again selling Christmas trees potted in red cans for $4 each, delivered.

Airman First Class Bobby Martin, the son of Mrs. Versie Martin of Winchester, was a member of the eight-man football team that won the intramural flag football league championship at Brooks Air Force Base. Airman Martin, an administrative specialist in the 6570th Air Base Group and a 1970 graduate of La Grange High School, played for the Consolidated Base Personnel Office, which was undefeated in its league.

Funeral services were held for: Roland Krueger, 64, of Frelsburg; Mrs. Evelyn L. Roberts, 69, of La Grange; and Mrs. Hulda Lehmann, 77, of Warda.

The 1973 screwworm season had likely peaked in October, according to the veterinarian in charge of the Mission Screwworm Laboratory. This opinion was greeted with sighs of relief in most South Texas livestock quarters. The state had confirmed 2,254 screwworm cases in 68 counties during October.

W.J. Nixon Lodge No. 421, AF & AM, of Smithville presented a 50-year Masonic service award to Sam Ingram, who resided in the Retama Manor in La Grange. Several members of La Fayette Masonic Lodge, No. 34, AF & AM, also attended the ceremony in the chapel at the nursing home.

Fayette County Commissioners engaged J.C. Runk of Columbus to assist farmers and stockmen with trapping wolves.

Fayette County Farm Bureau President Anton Tietjen Jr. said some local farmers were unable to buy diesel and other middle-distillate fuel because of the red tape associated with the mandatory allocation system.