Burglars Hit Country Store at O’Quinn

The O’Quinn Store on FM 609 was hit by burglars sometime late Sunday night or early Monday morning. Sheriff’s officers said $20 in quarters, $3 in nickels, and three cartons of cigarettes were missing. Entry was gained by smashing a window at the rear of the store owned by Paul (Jack) Korenek.

Although it had been the policy of The Fayette County Record not to print letters from readers, Editor Chas. W. Priebe announced the paper would accept and publish written comments about the proposed electric power plant in Fayette County as a public service. Real estate broker and investor F.P. (Ted) Houghton submitted the first letter printed. Houghton predicted that land selling at $800 to $1,000 an acre in the power plant area would no longer command the full market value the day after the towers went up. He also voiced concern about 6,400 acres of pasture, woods and fields being taken out of agricultural production forever and the loss of so much land on the Fayette County tax rolls.

A group of disgruntled farmers and ranchers gathered in the Fayette County Agricultural Building to challenge the Farmers Home Administration (FHA) and county supervisor Clarence Matula as to why the county was not declared a disaster area after excessive rains fell in the early part of 1973. The group contended that more than 100 farmers had lost all or part of their crops. Matula said his office compiled the survey at the request of the state FHA office, based on local creditors’ statements as to the need for loans from farmers and ranchers for the entire year, not just the first few months. Texas Governor Dolph Briscoe had earlier requested that Fayette County be designated as a disaster area from Dec. 26, 1972, to April 10, 1973, and be offered retroactive benefits to those suffering losses during that time.

Fayette County commissioners voted to advertise for five bids. They wanted to buy a new electric typewriter with a long (15½-inch) carriage and correcting feature; 1,800 8x8x16-inch concrete blocks; parts for an Allis-Chalmers motor grader; and 5,000 gal-lons of MC-1 asphalt. Bids were also being sought for the sale of a used Farmall Super 8 tractor side-mounted mower.

The La Grange Leopards romped past the Yoakum Bulldogs, 9-0, at Fair Park the previous Friday to clinch a tie for the District 13-3A pennant. Kenny Hatfield spun a four-hitter and got excellent support, including fielding gems by Steve Kovar, while the Leps ran Yoakum ragged, stealing 10 bases and taking advantage of numerous miscues. Kovar opened festivities in the first inning with a bunt single. He stole second, went to third on a bad throw, and scored on a passed ball. Marcus Cook walked after two were out, stole second, stole third, and scored when the throw went into left field. Opening the fourth, Mick Muzny, Neal Miller and John Schramm all singled.

The Fayette County Chapter of the National Foundation, March of Dimes, was again offering three $200 ‘starter’ scholarships to qualified students entering medical or related fields.

West Point Cadet John W. Mode, 20, the son of Mr. and Mrs. William G. Mode of La Grange, was named to the Commandant’s List at the U.S. Military Academy, West Point, New York. Cadet Mode, a member of the class of 1975, was recognized for military excellence.

Senior class favorites for 1974 at La Grange High School were Larry Hatfield, Mr. LHS, and Jackie Stueber, Miss LHS. First runner-up for Mr. LHS was Eddie Oppermann and David Zapalac was the second runner-up. Lisa Hart and Susan Prause tied for runner-up honors for Miss LHS honors. Kevin von Minden and Karen Fritsche were voted most likely to succeed.

Funeral services were held for: Mrs. Mary Nitschke, 89, of La Grange; Mrs. Frances Minarcik, 76, of Fayetteville; Louis F. Konvicka Sr., 69, of Mullins Prairie; and Henry Bastian of New Ulm.

Three La Grange High School boys were selected to represent La Grange at the 1974 session of Texas American Boys State. Otto Legler of H.J. Ehlers Post No. 102 of the American Legion identified the recipients as Wayne Zimmerhanzel, Glenn Smith and Justin Bartos III.

Below are ads from 1974

Arden Knight, a teacher at Fayetteville High School, was elected president of the Fayette County local of the Texas State Teachers Association. Other new officers were: Patricia Balcar, first vice president; Bobby Huenefeld, second vice president; Marie Hajovsky, secretary; Betty Schmidt, treasurer; and Otto Fuchs Jr., parliamentarian. Bill Buchanan was president-elect of the association.

Carolyn Fluitt was the third-place winner in the primary division, grades 1-4, and Ronnie Ellis won second place in the special education division in the district fire prevention poster contest. La Grange Fire Chief Rudolph Voss and local contest chair C.V. Creuzbauer presented the children with their awards.

A coin-operated copy machine was installed at the La Grange Post Office.

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