1976: Fire Levels Home, Family Loses All
Sept. 10-14, 1976
A fire of undetermined origin destroyed the large frame home occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Boehm and their two small children on the Old Bluff Road southwest of La Grange. The structure, known as the old John Hauser place, was owned by Mr. and Mrs. C.A. Gage, who resided in a new brick home nearby. Mr. Gage told La Grange Fire Chief Wesley Steinmann that extensive remodeling of the house had just been completed and he was in the process of getting insurance coverage when the fire struck. He said it appeared to have started on the west side, where the kitchen and dining room were located. Chief Steinmann said firefighters saved the pump house, while three nearby barns filled with hay were not in immediate danger because the wind was blowing in the opposite direction. The Boehms had left the house Saturday morning, so no one was home at the time of the fire. Contributions of clothing and other items were being solicited for the Boehm children.
When burglars entered Hermes Drug Store on N. Washington over the weekend, they stole a quantity of prescription- type drugs, including a number of narcotics, according to the sheriff’s department and city police investigation. Entry was gained by prying open a rear door to the building and removing a 2x4 crossbar.
A cornerstone laying ceremony was held at the Fayette Heritage Library/Museum in La Grange under the auspices of the Masonic Grand Lodge of Texas.
A nighttime fire destroyed the junior high school facilities and a gymnasium at Bastrop on Thursday, causing administrators to cancel classes for some students the following day. The blaze – preceded by an explosion – impacted the portion of the building constructed in 1941 and recently renovated. It was move-in ready at the time of the blaze.
Bert Vasut intercepted with just 34 seconds remaining in the game and the La Grange defense came through one more time to save a 7-6 decision against the Cameron Yeomen on Friday night in Cameron. The all-state linebacker nabbed the ball in his own end zone as he was falling to the turf on his back. It was a spectacular final minute after a first half that looked like La Grange could do anything it wanted. La Grange had the ball on its own 30 with a 7-6 lead. On third down, the Leps tried a pass that Richard Raymond intercepted for Cameron and ran it back to the Lep 30. The Lep defense completely shut down the Yeomen in the first two periods, allowing only about 20 yards in total offense and only two first downs. It was with 1:56 in the first period that the Lep touchdown was scored. Bobby Johnson set it up with a 42-yard punt runback that put the ball on the Cameron 17. Three plays later, quarterback Michael Miller leaped for the final yards and Jay Louy’s kick was good.
The Flatonia Bulldogs scored in the final minute for a 24-20 victory over Bishop Forest Rangers in a real kneeknocker played at Schulenburg. After a scoreless first quarter, things began to happen. Bishop Forest got on the scoreboard first on an 8-yard pass from David Schmidt to Raymond Rios, but the kick failed. The Bulldogs came back for two touchdowns, both on passes from Ricky Masek. On the first, he connected with Richard Young for 60 yards and then to Bobby Sellers for eight yards, but both kicks failed. The Rangers took a 13-12 lead before the half when Schmidt sneaked one yard and Ronald Vecera’s kick was good. With 2:47 remaining, the Rangers faced fourth and six from their own 30. Danny Neisner broke 70 yards for the touchdown and it looked good for Coach Kelley Sartain’s folks. Vecera’s kick was good again and the Rangers were in front, 20-18.
Fayette County reported five screwworm cases thus far in 1976. Although climatic conditions throughout Texas had been ideal for screwworms, after the introduction of a new strain of sterile flies, Texas had reported 13,105 laboratory confirmed screwworm cases for the year, compared to 54,769 by the same date in 1972. A Gulf Coast tick infestation was creating wounds where female screwworms laid their eggs.
Members of the Schulenburg Stars, the winner of the tournament sponsored by the La Grange Softball Association, were: Jackie Machac, Ben Perez, Chuck Brown, George Ortolon, Melvin Melcher, Bill Teague, Rickie Cernosek, George Maxwell, Mike Maxwell, Roger Sustr, Mike Bonner, Bennie Machac, Mark Klesel, David Buxkamper, Steve Lesikar, Billy David and Stanley Ohnheiser. Mark Besetzny was the manager.
Frank Kaderka killed a 24inch coral snake in a flowerbed at his home three miles east of La Grange on Hwy. 71.
Jimmie Hinze, the son of Mr. and Mrs. C.W. Hinze of Carmine, earned a Ph. D. degree in construction management in the civil engineering department at Stanford University in California. In January, he was to join the University of Missouri as a professor in its civil engineering department.
Sharon Banik, a junior at Round Top-Carmine High School, was elected sweetheart of its FFA club.
Funeral services were held for: Otto Adolph Jacob, 84, of Carmine; George E. Muras Sr., 67, of Hostyn; Mrs. Raymond (Regina) Cernoch, 76, a Fayette County native; Mrs. Jennie Krenek, 57, of Fayetteville; and Alvin G. Janda, 77, a native of Hostyn.
Second Lieutenant Anthony J. Adamcik was awarded silver wings upon graduation from U.S. Air Force navigator training at Mather Air Force Base in California.
If you’d like to reach Elaine, please email her at callacomm@ hotmail.com. You can also visit her website: www. elainethomaswriter.com.