REMEMBER WHEN?

50 Years Ago

May 18-21, 1971

John L. Giese, the manager of the La Grange Chamber of Commerce, received an invitation from Texas Lieutenant Governor Ben Barnes to join a delegation of 1,000 Texans who were flying to Paris, Stockholm and Moscow on a seven-day mission beginning August 1 in an effort to secure release of American military prisoners being held by North Vietnam. Called “Texas Flight for Understanding,” the delegation was to be comprised of selected individuals whose expenses would be paid personally or by a civic organization. The cost of the trip was $600.

In a “till tapping” incident early Friday afternoon at Galipp’s Super Market in Schulenburg, the tapper got away with $150. Officers explained that during a “till tap,” just at the instant that the cashier opened the cash register to make change, one subject would get the cashier’s attention while the other reached in the cash register and grabbed a handful of bills.

In a statewide vote, Fayette County put the stamp of approval on selling liquor by the glass by better than a 3-1 margin and agreed with the authorization of $10 million in bonds to provide financial assistance to cities and other public agencies for improving water quality. (Those in the Muldoon community were unable to vote on the liquor amendment because it was a dry precinct.) However, local voters frowned on three other proposed amendments to the Texas Constitution. They turned down establishing a state ethics commission for members of the Legislature and lieutenant governor, as well as saying no to permitting the legislature to propose constitutional amendments at called, and regular sessions. Voters also were against authorizing $10 million in bonds to provide financial assistance to cities and other public agencies for improving water quality.

Getting full mileage out of four base knocks, the La Grange Schroeder Drug Demons first defeated Weimar’s Veterans, 5-1, in a South Central Texas Amateur League rainout make-up at Fair Park on Saturday night. It then dropped a 9-3 loop decision to the Merchants at Schulenburg Sunday afternoon. Bubba Riehs southpawed a five-hit, eight-strikeout performance for seven and a half innings against Weimar Saturday. When he ran into problems in the eighth, he got able relief from Hal Tiedt, who was credited with a save for his effort. Infield hits by Ricky Peters and Bill Bohne followed by a Vet error on Danny Glaiser’s roller to the second baseman got La Grange its first counter in the bottom of the fourth. Four more crossed the platter in the fifth when the Demons got but one safety, Danny Muzny’s one bagger to left. Three bases on balls, a wild pitch by Vet starter Jim Grots, a walk and a Weimar misplay contributed to the run production. Subscribers on the Carmine Telephone Company’s exchange were the first in Fayette County to receive direct distance dialing. Carmine building contractor Richard G. Zwernemann made the very first DDD call Friday afternoon when he telephoned his daughter, Mrs. Ida Mae Riske at Pasadena. According to Gaylen Ackley, the Carmine phone company ownermanager, the call went through in18 seconds.

Funeral services were held for: Emil Kainer, 90, of Weimar; Robert Malcik, 39, of La Grange; Frank Vykukal, 72, of La Grange; Lawrence R. Weishuhn, 48, of Warda; Mrs. Selma Noack, 81, of Winchester; and Anton J. Srubar, 74, of La Grange. At Sam Houston State Uni

At Sam Houston State University, Jessie Petrich was initiated into the Alpha Phi chapter of the Kappa Omicron Phi, the national home economics honor fraternity that emphasized high standards of scholarship and leadership development.

Mr. and Mrs. W.R. Urner (Will and Edna) observed their golden wedding anniversary on Sunday, May 9 at the American Legion Annex in Smithville. After Rev. R.B. Green, pastor of First Baptist Church, performed a ceremony, he presented Mrs. Urner with a set of car keys to a new LTD sedan, a gift from Mr. Urner to Mrs. Urner.

The La Grange Chamber of Commerce had 176 members – 115 business and professional and 61 individuals. It had collected $7,776 in dues and had $232.50 in open accounts for a total of $8,008.50.

Ledbetter won the Community League battle for the cellar slot Sunday by trouncing Lexington, 14-8, as Jeff Blume and Gaylon Michalk shared hill duties to bring the Ledbetterites their first loop victory. Warda’s Aces remained undefeated in the South Zone by edging the Giddings Buffs, 8-5, and Winchester moved into second place by slipping past the Plum Ravens, 4-3. The winning run was scored in the last of the ninth as Jimmy Ephraim came in on Macyln Lehmann’s sacrifice fly to deep right-center.

Nolan Havemann was selected as Conservation Comeback Farmer for 1970 by the Fayette Soil and Water Conservation District. He operated a 127-acre farm in the Carmine area.

The ages of the eight living children of the late Mr. and Mrs. Frank Adamcik gathered for George E. Adamcik’s 80th birthday added up to 640 years. Celebrating with George were: Chas. Adamcik of Weimar, 84; Adolph Adamcik, 78; Mrs. Chas. Lidiak of Weimar, 76; Mrs. Frank J. Kruppa, 90; Mrs. Emilie Vacek of Smithville, 88; Mrs. Adolph Matocha, 71; and Mrs. Richard Kruppa, 73. Three other siblings were deceased: Frank Adamcik, Mrs. H.J. Janda and William Adamcik.

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