Nazis in Fayette County During World War II?

Footprints Of Fayette

Fayette County is one of the most historic counties in Texas. In this weekly feature from the County Historical Commission, a rotating group of writers looks back at local history.

There are very few people who are alive today who went through the difficult times during World War II. It was a much different time. Every little thought and deed was made to help the war effort here in America. The same could be said for the other side. They used to say, “There are spies among us!” And there was a man who lived in Dubina who probably was a spy. His name was Mr. Strisch. Mr. Strisch rented a room with a local family, the Anton Janecka family. He had one room in the house.

Mr. Strisch was a middle-aged man, very fashionably dressed, with a well-groomed beard. He claimed to be Czech but spoke fluent German and English, which was not uncommon for the time. He drove an elegant 1935 Packer car. He was friendly and amiable, but he had a few peculiarities. It was imperative that he always be the first person at the mailbox when the mail arrived. Every day he went to Weimar and purchased a copy of the Houston Post and the San Antonio Express. He always made sure that his room was locked securely when he left.

One day some boys crawled up on his second- floor window and went into his room when he was gone. They did not notice anything unusual, only that he would place a large kitchen match up against the door so he would know if anyone had come in while he was gone.

Mr. Potash, the local postmaster, became suspicious and asked the Sheriff’s department to investigate Mr. Strisch. Mr. Strisch must have gotten wind of the upcoming visit. He quickly packed his belongings and was never seen or heard of again.

When the sheriff arrived, they searched his room. In the back of an old phonograph machine there were wires that were found that seemed to be hastily torn out. It was obvious that there had been some type of radio device or other instrument hidden behind the phonograph. Mr. Strisch was never heard from again.

That old axiom was true, “There were spies among us and we never knew it. Not even in Dubina!”