REMEMBER WHEN?
50 Years Ago from the files of The Fayette County Record
Dec. 3-7, 1971
An early morning fire on Dec. 2 destroyed four buildings comprising approximately a halfblock of the Ellinger business district. Had it not been for the cooperation of area firemen, plus the wind direction and rainfall, the destruction would have been worse. Going up in flames were Walter J. Koehl’s cold drink business and another Koehl building containing antiques that also was used for storage. Also lost in the fire were Becka Grocery and the former Charles Meyer theater building owned by Eugene Michalsky. The fire was discovered at about 2 a.m. by a passerby who said he heard a muffled explosion. At least nine fire departments responded to the alarm.
Fayette County Sheriff T.J. Flournoy and his deputies solved four burglaries of ranch homes in the northwestern and western parts of the county following weeks of investigation and hundreds of miles of travel. In addition, they recovered a large quantity of stolen merchandise. Five subjects were charged with burglary in Justice of the Peace A.V. Smith’s court and their cases were bound over to the grand jury. Ages of the quintet from the Smithville area ranged from 17 to 26.
La Grange Leopard basketballers kicked off the 1971-72 season, winning two and losing one to their Smithville High School Tiger counterparts. The Lep varsity quintet dropped a 61-48 encounter to Smithville in the feature pairing at Smithville thanks to a pair of hot Tiger outside shooters who accounted for 33 of their team’s points. La Grange Coach Ricky Peters said they were two of the best he’d seen in some time. Clarence Svoboda was the top point maker for La Grange.
The framework for the new Kleiber Ford Tractor Co. building was complete and contractor Scholtz Construction Co. was being putting on the siding.
Funeral services were held for: Edna A. Legler, La Grange; Mrs. Tillie Schertz, 91, of Fayetteville; Elmo Lampe, 61, of La Grange; Mrs. Lester Hartfield, 49, of La Grange; Harry Oeding, 82, of La Grange; Charles A. Baca, 83, of Schulenburg and Nada; Mrs. Augusta Fritsch, 72, of Fayetteville; Henry R. Kneip, 51, of Round Top; and Bruce A. Ehrigson, 70, of a native of Shelby.
Charles and Dianna Albers honored their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Milton Albers of Carmine, on their silver wedding anniversary with a family gathering held at the Quade-Werchan American Legion Home.
On Nov. 28, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Kovar Sr. were surprised with a party at the home of their daughter, Mrs. Sophie Blazek, on their 54th wedding anniversary.
Mr. and Mrs. John Hruska of Cuero, who were married in St. Mary’s Catholic Church near Ellinger on Nov. 29, 1921, were honored on their 50th wedding anniversary with a party at the Ellinger C of C Hall. Dinner was served to 125 guests.
Sig II-Chic II Convenience Store was selling a family order consisting of 10 pieces of chicken for $1.99; a super family order of 15 pieces cost $2.89, a steak sandwich sold for 29¢ and fried pies were priced at 17¢ each. Togo six-packs of Pearl, Lone Star, Jax, Shiner and Falstaff beer (not chilled) were $1.08 plus tax.
The U.S. Army Recruiting Station in Rosenberg ran an ad stating new recruits would start at $268.50 a month, up from $134.50.
John C. Marburger of La Grange was appointed district deputy grandmaster of Masonic District No. 33 by Senator Jack Hightower of Vernon, grand master of the Masonic Grand Lodge of Texas.
Maurice F. Granville, a native of La Grange, was appointed chairman of the board of Texaco, Inc. in New York City. Mr. Granville had been with the company for 33 years and had been an elected official since 1960.
Mrs. F.C. (Mary) Kallus was honored on her 85th birthday with an open house at the home of her daughter, Mrs. John L. Sulak. Cohosting the party with Mrs. Sulak was Mrs. Kallus’ son, B.J. Kallus.
At Schroeder Drug, Russell Stover assorted chocolates were priced from $2 for a 1-lb. box to $9.75 for a 5-lb. box for Christmas gifts.
Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Ebner of La Grange celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary at their home with a turkey dinner for relatives. Miss Edna Schulz and Ernest Ebner were married on Nov. 26, 1946, at the Lutheran Church at Three Oaks near Poth, Texas. They lived at Carmine one year before moving to La Grange where Mr. Ebner was employed at Lincke Floor Covering Co.
For more great stories, visit Elaine online at www.elainethomaswriter.com/blog/ or call her at 979-263-5031.