REMEMBER WHEN?

50 Years Ago

September 3-7, 1971 Mrs. Mathilda Zbranek grew the La Grange area’s first bale of cotton for the 1971 season. Weighing in at 655 pounds on the scale at the Kasper-Michalk Gin, it sold to Ehlers Cotton Company for a premium price of 30¢ a pound. Mrs. Zbranek had been raising cotton for 53 years, and the Ehlers firm was observing its 50th anniversary in the cotton buying business.

Three young women from a neighboring town were caught shoplifting by the manager of a downtown business just before noon Wednesday. The trio were charged in Judge A.V. Smith’s justice of the peace court with misdemeanor theft and fined $39.50 each for a total of $118.50.

All brands and marks on Texas livestock had to be re-registered in the office of the county clerk, in accordance with a new law passed in the last legislature. Fayette County Clerk John A. Kubena said livestock producers had six months to complete their registration that was to include information on where the brand or mark was applied. After Feb. 28, 1972, any unrecorded brands would be available for sale on a first-come basis.

Fayette County Sheriff T.J. Flournoy reported that on Aug. 21 from 2:30 p.m. to 12 midnight, he and his deputies arrested and jailed 12 people – nine for disorderly conduct and three for DWI. One of the more interesting investigations his office handled was in response to a call from Ellinger where a car was being stripped. The same day, the sheriff’s office assisted with an inquest and looked after runaway girls.

Warda’s annual homecoming picnic was set for Sun., Sept. 5 on the shady grounds near the church. Plenty of good, juicy barbecue would come off the pit at 10 a.m. (or before). Along with serving free coffee, the ladies were holding a bake sale. Plenty of refreshments of all kinds also would be available. The Frontiersmen were playing for the big event.

David Reue, a Brenham native, was Fayette County’s new assistant agricultural agent. He replaced Mickey Crow, who had moved to Leon County to serve as its agent.

Funeral services were held for: Willie C. Koenning, 68, of Winchester; Julius J. Vinklarek, 43, of Cistern; Mrs. Louise A. Hinze, 80, of Round Top; Arthur H. Findeisen, 85, of Willow Springs; and Charles F. Blinka, 60, of Ellinger.

After successfully completing the state’s requirements, Flatonia Methodist Church was named a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark and was to receive an interpretive plate giving a capsule history of the structure. The chair of the Fayette County Historical Survey Committee, Walter P. Freytag, said he would announce the date of the dedication of the marker. As of 1971, the survey committee had erected approximately 5,500 official markers across Texas.

The popular point system for duck bag limits was to be used again in Texas during the 1971-72 waterfowl season. Two species of ducks, canvasbacks and redheads, were given a higher point value than the prior year. The start of duck and goose seasons was Nov. 3. Duck season would close on Jan. 11 and goose hunting would end on Jan. 16.

Colorado County Federal Savings and Loan Association placed an ad praising President Nixon’s executive order that he had issued the week before that provided for stabilization of prices, rents, wages and salaries. The association stated it would comply with the president’s order and not raise interest rates or closing costs on loans. It went on record as saying that the president’s executive order should have the desired effect in helping to curb the serious inflation that had existed in recent years.

The Smithville Comancheros met the Winchester Coyotes in a benefit game for Melvin Roy Lehmann, a player on the Winchester team. During the middle of the game, Smithville Mayor Albert Crawford presented Melvin with the total gate receipts to help him pay his medical expenses. The Coyotes chalked up four runs in the top of the ninth to win the game 9-6.

The Midway Drive-In Theatre in Schulenburg was featuring How the West Was Won on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

The La Grange Schroeder Drug Demons scored twice in the first inning and then led throughout to defeat Warda’s Aces, 4-1, in a game played during the Fayette County Fair. The game was halted with one out in Warda’s top half of the ninth by an electrical power failure. Manager Clint Bippert, Steve Janda and Danny Glaiser platooned up the hill for the victors, giving up only three bingles between them, while Gus Schramm and submarining Hermie Lehmann tossed for the Aces. Danny Muzny’s leadoff single, Ronnie Voss’ sacrifice and back-to-back singles by Ricky Blume, Don Glaiser and Bob Glaiser got the first inning pair for the Demons.

For more great stories, visit Elaine online at www.elainethomaswriter.com/blog/ or call her at 979-263-5031.