Burglars On the Loose in Fayette County

Jan. 24-31, 1975

The Fayette County Sheriff’s Departmentwasinvestigating two burglaries in Carmine, which occurred late Monday night or early Tuesday morning. The businesses hit were Jacob’s Store and the H-K Store. Forty cartons of cigarettes were taken at Jacob’s and $35 to $40 in cash. The loot from the H-K Store included 12 cartons of assorted brands of cigarettes, six pairs of men’s underwear, some ladies’ undergarments and about $25 in cash. Officers said the front door at Jacob’s was pried open to gain entry and a window near the front door was smashed at the H-K Store.

When several more burglaries were reported several days later, Fayette County Sheriff T.J. (Jim) Flournoy commented, “Burglars are about to run us ragged.” Two occurred in La Grange sometime during the night Friday or early Saturday morning, but the one with the greatest loss was out of town at the Sterling McCall place, about two miles south of Warrenton near the Fayetteville road. (The property was formerly owned by Dr. Philip Knutzen of Round Top.) Items missing from the Mc-Call house and barn included: three Honda motorcycles, a riding lawnmower, a small TV, a stereo with eight-track system, sleeping bags, a chainsaw and a variety of clothing and bedding. Hit in La Grange Friday night or Saturday morning was Mueller Floral, where officers said between $4 and $5, a tape recorder and a radio were missing. Burglars who entered Lukas Bakery on the west side of the Square were frightened away when an employee reported for work.

Miss Hattie Kruschel presented a property deed for land on the south side of the 200 block of North Main Street to La Grange Chamber of Commerce President Ivan Fajkus at the organization’s annual meeting. The land was to be used for a permanent location for the chamber. The guest speaker at the event was Texas Secretary of State Mark White, who later served as Texas governor.

A 1972 Ford pick-up truck with a camper body, stolen in La Grange Monday night, was found abandoned on a county road southwest of La Grange early Tuesday afternoon. The truck, owned by Lester (Buddy) Zapalac, was taken from the back of the La Grange Journal office just before midnight Monday. A bulletin about the theft was broadcast by the sheriff’s dispatcher at 11:50 p.m. When a passersby reported the abandoned vehicle to the sheriff’s office the next morning, Deputy Sheriff Walter Chernosky went to check out the sighting. He said some type of oil had apparently been poured on the motor, which was then set afire. The engine was badly burned and would likely have to be replaced.

The new owners, George Allen and Brenda Rainosek, announced the Cozy Theatre in La Grange was closing after Sunday, Feb. 9, for remodeling. The reopening was planned for Feb. 22 after new seats were installed.

After being down 12 points once in the first half, the La Grange Leopards marshaled their troops to edge Bastrop’s Bears, 63-60, in a tremendous basketball game in La Grange. Early foul problems were coupled with a sprained ankle suffered by Tommy Taylor, who missed all of the fourth quarter because of the injury. Gary Dippel and Mike Matocha came off the bench and turned in great performances.

The Flatonia Bulldogs won a pair of District 27A basketball games over the Shorthorns at Schulenburg. The boys were victorious by a score of 43-42 and the girls by a 49-44 margin. Leading Flatonia’s scoring was Darrel Williams with 16 points and S. Segura with 14. Randy Houston scored 12 and Doug Walker 11 for the Shorthorns.

Funeral services were held for: Frank Tobias, 62, of Ellinger; Ruben Adams III, 23, of Schulenburg; Adolph Meyer, 81, of Frelsburg; C.M. Muras, 72, of Hostyn; Lee Roy C. Shula Sr., 52, of Fayetteville; and Carl J. Witt, 67, a Fayette County native.

Mr. and Mrs. Ed. Lehmann of Warda were honored on their 60th wedding anniversary on Sunday, Jan. 19, with a turkey dinner at the youth building at the Warda Picnic Grounds. An arrangement of white mums gracing the altar of Holy Cross Lutheran Church at Warda was given by their children: Mr. and Mrs. Willie Lehmann, Mr. and Mrs. Vastine Pietsch, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Lehmann and Mr. and Mrs. Roy Lehmann.

Catherine Hajovsky of the Holman 4-H Club was elected second vice chair of the District 4-H Council. She and Mike Teinert of the Warda 4-H Club represented Fayette County at the meeting.

Mr. and Mrs. Ben Zoch observed their 55th wedding anniversary on Sunday, Jan. 19. Mr. Zoch and the former Anne Schubert were married on Jan. 19, 1920, at St. Michael’s Lutheran Church in Winchester by the Rev. Alfred Zoch. They had three children: Mrs. Albert (Beatrice) Krause,Alfred Zoch and Melvin Zoch, all of Winchester.

Donna Leonhardt was crowned homecoming queen at Round Top-Carmine High School. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bennie Leonhardt.

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