1976: Local Couple Loses Their Lives in Tragic Mobile Home Blaze
A La Grange couple, Guy Wilson, 56, and his wife, Peggy, 46, lost their lives when fire raced through their mobile home on E. Lower Line St. early Monday morning. A La Grange Volunteer Fire Department spokesperson said the alarm was turned in at 3 a.m., but by the time firefighters arrived minutes later, flames and smoke were coming out of the windows. The couple had operated Peggy’s Pizza Parlor in the Monument Hill area.
The 1976-77 fund drive for Bishop Forest High School in Schulenburg officially kicked off at a meeting of students, parents, teachers, graduates and supporters. Attendees were told the budget for the upcoming year was $90,000, with the goal of raising $40,000 in cash and $50,000 in pledges. Contributions were fully tax deductible.
Had anyone seen his 1951 Ford? Steve Braver of La Grange was looking for a 1951 black, 4-door Ford that may or may not have been driven by a gray-haired man of about 60. Braver sold the man the restored Ford, which he said was in tip-top condition, and ‘the buyer,’ listing a Columbus address, gave him a $900 check on a Columbus bank. Neither was any good. When last seen, the Ford’s license plate number was ETV428. Braver was offering a reward for the vehicle’s return.
Burglars entered the City of La Grange warehouse and shops on E. Eblin St. sometime over the weekend and made away with approximately $1,000 worth of equipment and tools. Police Chief L.R. Ulrich and Deputy Sheriff C.A. Prilop said entry was gained by picking the lock on a door leading to the main warehouse building. Taken were a generator, acetylene and oxygen rig, skill saws, an electric wrench, a grinder and several smaller tools. The La Grange City Council was offering a $200 reward for the arrest and conviction of the party or parties responsible for the burglary.
The weekend rains over Fayette County were in the nick of time, according to county agriculture agent Clinton R. Bippert. Rains around the county varied from one to two inches, with the O’Quinn area getting the most. With this moisture, Bippert said farmers could expect all their planted corn and maize to get out of the ground.
Citations were being issued to the owners of 11 con-demned, uninhabited homes and buildings in La Grange that were not dealt with in the 1975 clean-up project. Owners were being advised to demolish or remove structures that were uninhabitable, dangerous and a fire hazard. More than 40 eyesore structures had been taken care of in the previous year.
When Lloyd M. Bentsen brought his campaign for reelection to La Grange, he was the first U.S. Senator to visit the city since Ralph Yarborough came through here on April 19, 1969, to join in the city’s tribute to astronaut William A. Anders.
At the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, local 4-Hers raked in $2,000 worth of rewards in exhibit sales, premium money and scramble certificates. Dennis Kristynik of the Bishop Forest club received $50 for the champion Holstein in the dairy scramble division. Dennis’ cow also placed third overall in the dairy scramble contest to earn him another $60. Paul Miksch, also a member of the Bishop Forest club, exhibited the third-place Holstein in the dairy scramble division. In the poultry competition, Larry Bippert of the La Grange club made the largest win with his eighth-place turkey hen that sold for $350.Also making the turkey sale were: Charles Bippert, $166.67 for a hen; Larry Bippert, $137.50 for a hen; Douglas Bippert, $125 for a hen; Bruce Mozisek, $100 for a hen; and Brian Mozisek, $67.50 for a hen.
Funeral services were held for: Leslie Rinn, 53, of Fayetteville; Mrs. Anna Jurk, 95, of Warda; Mrs. Emma Dippel, 98, a native of Round Top; and Gus V. Struve, 79, a La Grange native.
Mr. and Mrs. Richard C. Crow of La Grange celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary at the American Legion Hall in Schulenburg. The couple was married in Hallettsville on Feb. 27, 1951, by the Rev. O.T. Shoemaker. After living in Houston for some years, the Crows owned and operated Ritz Food Market in La Grange.
Carmine native Mrs. Michael (Nancy) Herzog, RN., who graduated from Blinn Junior College and Brackenridge Hospital School of Nursing, was appointed director of nurses at Southwest Mediplex in Austin. Nancy was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Plueckhahn and granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Plueckhahn, all of Carmine.
Mathew (Maty) Cernoch, the grandfather of Mrs. V.O. Burgess, celebrated his 99th birthday on Feb. 11. According to Mrs. Burgess, the Dubina native was in good health and his mind was as sharp as a tack. He could tell stories about the 1900 Galveston storm.
Flatonia native Dr. David R. Tauch announced the opening of his eye clinic in Gonzales.
Miss Carolyn Lehmann, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Louis P. Lehmann of Warda, was representing Blinn Junior College at the 42nd annual Cotton Pageant and Ball, sponsored by the Agronomy Society at Texas A&M University.
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