REMEMBER WHEN?

50 Years Ago

June 15, 1971

James S. (Jim) Reese, a former Fayette County Agricultural Agent, died of an apparent cerebral hemorrhage in Dakar, Senegal, Africa. Jim first worked as an assistant agricultural agent under the late J.C. Yeary. After Mr. Yeary’s retirement, Jim was appointed county agent, a post he held until he resigned in the mid-1950s. At the time of his death, Jim was in the foreign service of the U.S. Department of State. He had also served in South Africa.

A total of 460 people got chest x-rays when the Alamo Area TB and RD Association’s mobile unit was in La Grange. Contributions of $427.75 collected during the one-day visit would help defray the cost of operating the community service.

James R. Mitchell, the president and chair of SMECO, Inc., developers of River Colony near La Grange, died. A native Texan based in Houston, he had gained prominence in home building and resort development.

Coming from back of a 3-2 deficit after three innings, the La Grange Schroeder Drug Demons scored twice in the top of the fourth and held on for an 8-4 victory over Weimar’s Veterans in a South Central Texas Amateur League tilt Sunday at Weimar. Danny Glaiser held the Vets under control over the last eight frames with an eight-hit, three-strikeout performance after Butch Blume, who pitched the first inning, held the opposition scoreless. Danny Muzny’s leadoff double, Jimmy Marek’s one-bagger followed by the left field’s error, and Dan Glaiser’s single, got a pair for La Grange in the first round. The Veterans retaliated with a solo counter in the half of the first, then ran over a couple in the third on Dick Fuqua’s two RI homer for a brief lead. Wayne Otto’s leadoff single, Steve Janda’s sacrifice and bases on balls to Muzny, Bob and Dan Glaiser sandwiched around Jimmie Marek’s one-ply blow, accounted for two fourth inning Demon counters. That was a lead the locals never gave up.

At their first reunion at Ammannsville, 200 members and friends of the Frank and Agnes Balcar family gathered on Sun., May 30 at the KJT Hall. Willie Balcar presented a detailed family history starting with their home in Bila Hora, Austria-Hungary, until they settled in Ammannsville. Mr. and Mrs. Chuck Schwartzkopf entertained the group with filmstrips taken on their recent Czechoslovakian trip after the meal.

James R. Mitchell, the president and chair of SMECO, Inc., developers of River Colony near La Grange, died. A native Texan based in Houston, he had gained prominence in home building and resort development.

The officers and directors of Germania Farm Mutual Aid Association invited its members to the 75th anniversary celebration on Mon., July 19, 1971, in Brenham. Barbecue would be served in Fireman’s’ Park before the meeting at the American Legion Hall. An open house at the home office building at 711 Mansfield would follow the program.

Dotson Campers starting at $140 were being sold on a lot next to Foehner Funeral Chapel at Burton.

David Sumbera, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Sumbera of La Grange, had major surgery at Seton Hospital in Austin. The eight-year-old was recuperating satisfactorily at home.

The Ravens nosed out Columbus, 5-4, at Fair Park on Thursday night, while at the same time, the local Braves lost one of those believe-it-or-not decisions at Weimar, 13-12. Both were Tri-County Teenage League tilts. The Ravens had to come from behind to seal their close victory. Bubba Smith, starting Brave hurler, was relieved by Kenny Hatfield after giving up three first frame counters and had allowed a walk and two safeties in the second. Hatfield tossed hitless ball the rest of the game, fanning eight and free-passing three. The Braves were ahead of Weimar, 12- 7, with two out in the last half of the final seventh inning. Then the adversary counted once, which was harmless enough. Next came a bases-loaded triple, making the score 12-11, still in favor of the Braves. However, the next batter swatted a one-on homerun to visit defeat on the locals.

A news release outlining the new structure of the Southern Postal Region headquartered in Memphis, Tenn., indicated that the La Grange sectional center facility was still very much in the department’s plans. The objective of the reorganization was to consolidate all postal activities in a given direction in special geographic areas under the direction of one man.

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