REMEMBER WHEN?
50 Years Ago from the files of The Fayette County Road
Feb. 15-18, 1972
Quick work by a neighbor and the La Grange Fire Department averted what could have been a disastrous fire at the Walter Foyt home about a mile north of Ellinger on Sunday morning. A faulty hose on a space heater in the living room caused butane gas to escape. When it came into contact with the pilot light on a hot water heater in the bathroom, a blowtorch-like fire erupted. Arthur Friemel, one of the first neighbors to see smoke coming from the five-room house, fought the fire with a garden hose until the water supply gave out. In addition to smoke damage, the wall in the living room was burned, as well as a small hole in the floor where the heater had stood. Two windows were blown out by the blast and a sewing machine cabinet caught fire.
When local firefighters were called to Plum on Tuesday, they found that neighbors had done a good job in holding down what might have been a major blaze. The call was to Joe Belota’s place where Dennis Belota had been overhauling a tractor in a barn. Firefighters said when the tractor motor started a flying spark ignited the fuel used for washing parts. Neighbors controlled the fire with a garden hose until firefighters arrived. While about four bales of hay burned, damage to the tractor was not extensive.
La Grange school trustees agreed to temporarily rent part of the old junior high school building to American Milk Producers, Inc. The company was vacating its property at Travis and Jackson streets where the new HEB store and shopping center was to be built. American Milk Producers expected its new quarters to be ready by August 1. After that date, the school board expected work would begin on readying the old junior high school building for vocational classes in cosmetology and small engine and machinery repair. Trustees had approved the addition of those classes to the vocational curriculum.
Fayette County rancher and businessperson John Wilson announced his candidacy for Texas State Representative of District 30. That seat in the State Legislature representing Bastrop, Colorado, Lee, Gonzales and Fayette counties was held by Charles Jungmichel of La Grange. Mr. Wilson was the son of Mrs. Cy Wilson and the late Col. Cy Wilson, former base commander at Bergstrom Air Force Base in Austin. He was the grandson of Mrs. Lula G. Thornton of West Point, and the late Dr. L.G. Thornton, who had been a West Point physician.
With six pens placing in the top 25, Fayette County 4-Hers dominated the ready-to-cook broiler show at the San Antonio Livestock Show. Douglas Bippert won grand champion of the show and Debbie Bippert had the reserve grand champion. Both were members of the La Grange 4-H Club. Others who placed were: Larry Bippert, 9th; Daniel Cernoch, 11th; Richard Cernoch, 12th; and Carol Zimmermann, 22nd.
La Grange’s personable city tax assessor/collector H.C. Henniger, who had recently observed his 86th birthday, said he planned to retire in the fall.
Stockholders of La Grange State Bank reelected its slate of directors and board. Reelected were: Theo V. Adamcik, Dr. L.B. Boelsche, Dr. A.J. Darilek, Fred Kasper, J.E. Morgan, Walter Oeltjen, G.O. Osthoff, John Schumacher and L.W. Stolz Jr. Mr. Schumacher was again named chairman of the board, Mr. Oeltjen, president and C.V. Creuzbaur, senior vice president.
Funeral services were held for: Miss Frieda Janssen, 87, of Rutersville; Julia Klimicek, 91, of Fayetteville; Gladys K. Spacek, 66, of La Grange; and Joe R. Bordovsky, 52, of Dubina.
Kirtley farmer and rancher Gilbert Richards announced his candidacy for Fayette County Commissioner of Precinct 3. Mr. Richards said he intended to see that area roads were maintained at all times, not only before an election. If funds were not available for paving, then they should be graded regularly and kept in the best possible condition.
Cadet Scott L. Smith, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Jesse L. Smith of La Grange, was named to the Commandant’s List at the US Air Force Academy. A member of the class of 1974, Cadet Smith, who was selected for his outstanding military performance, was to wear a silver wreath designating the honor accorded him. Upon his graduation from the academy, the 1970 graduate of La Grange High School was to be commissioned as a second lieutenant and awarded a Bachelor of Science degree.
Sheriff T.J. Flournoy appointed Sidney Engstrom of Round Top as a new Fayette County deputy sheriff. Mr. Engstrom was to serve Round Top, Carmine and other northeastern parts of the county, as well as doubling as a radio dispatcher in the sheriff’s courthouse office. The other radio dispatcher was V.O. (Buck) Burgess of La Grange. Sheriff Flournoy announced that a dispatcher was on duty five nights a week from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Winchester native Dr. Leroy Tschatschula was named acting president of Concordia Lutheran College in Austin. He was the son of the late Oswald and Esther Tschatschula and the brother of Calvin and Miss Bernice Tschatschula of La Grange.
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