Three Charged in Clothes Closet Robbery
April 15-18, 1975
Burglary charges were filed Friday in Judge A.V. Smith’s Justice of the Peace court against three Houstonians in connection with the March 23 break-in at the Clothes Closet on Monument Hill. Two of the perpetrators were La Grange natives and the third was from Giddings. Sheriff T.J. Flournoy and Chief Deputy C.A. Prilop apprehended the trio in Houston last Wednesday following a daylong investigation in the Bayou City – and after prolonged inquiries and quizzing since the burglary occurred. The sheriff said a tip finally gave officers the clue they needed. Deputy Sheriff Prilop returned to Houston Friday and recovered at least a third of the more than $7,000 worth of merchandise that was taken in the robbery. Prilop said the goods had been disposed of at eight different locations in Houston. Judge Smith set a bond of $5,000 against each of the three perpetrators. The case was referred to the next grand jury.
A hen belonging to Mr. and Mrs. Alfred O. Lange of Warrenton turned up at the Houston home of Mr. Lange’s sister, where the two families were gathered for a noon meal. When the dog started barking, Mrs. Lange looked outside and recognized one of her chickens in her sister’s city backyard. Opening the hood of their car, Mr. Lange found two chicken eggs on the motor block starting to incubate. That evening when the Langes returned to Fayette County, the chicken rode in a cage for the return trip.
A four-year dream came true for La Grange Tuesday when the five members of the Houston Authority, a representative of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and a Louisiana builder wrote their names on a $696,760 low-rent housing project contract. The 32-unit complex, which included 22 regular and 10 apartments for the elderly, was to be constructed on a 6.1-acre tract purchased from Hart Brown. It was also known as the ‘old Schuech place.’
A 32-year-old Austin man charged with dog-napping was fined $77.50 in Judge A.V. Smith’s Justice of the Peace court. Sheriff T.J. Flournoy said two fox terriers had been taken from Muldoon the previous Friday. Fayette County Deputy Sheriff Walter Chernosky, who received information identifying the suspect, went to Austin and brought him back to La Grange, where charges were filed.
The La Grange Junior High Lep band students performed Friday, April 11, at Southwestern University in Georgetown for six UIL concert and sight-reading contest judges. The band received unanimous Excellent Division II ratings from the concert judges and Unanimous Division II ratings from the sightreading judges.
Kenny Hatfield southpawed a nifty no-hitter as his mates backed up the performance with seven of their own and errorless fielding support to defeat Weimar’s Wildcats, 5-0, in the District 25-AA lid-lifter. Hatfield struck out eight Cats over the stretch and walked three. His counterpart, Weimar’s John Kana, whiffed four and free-ticketed two in addition to permitting seven bingles. Gary Dippel led off with a base knock, Hatfield strolled and Mike Pechal promptly sent both home with a two-bagger. Neal Miller then stroked a single to score Pechal. One was away in the fourth when Bert Vasut singled and went to second on a passed ball. Pat Smith skied out, but Larry Bippert poked out a single to score Vasut.
Odell Lott was appointed the new manager for La Grange Tire Center.
The New Testament Baptist Church on N. Franklin and Von Minden Sts. was observing its first anniversary with special services including an evening fellowship and cutting of an anniversary cake.
In 1974, 34 Fayette County sheep raisers shared incentive payments through the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service of $419. 61. Twenty sheep farmers earned less than $3 each. The payments were designed to bring the national average price of 58.1¢ received by producers to the previously established price of 72¢ a pound for shorn wool.
The Plum Yankees outscored Elm Creek, 7-5, in a seven-inning affair in the only official game on Sunday that wasn’t rained out. George Maxwell got credit for the hill win for Plum, and Danny Muzny collected two doubles in three at-bats for the victors.
When directors of the Swiss Alp Dance Club met at Tietjen’s Store in Swiss Alp, they decided that membership dues would remain at $20 per year. Guest fees were raised to $4 per couple. The La Grange American Legion Hall had been booked for all six dances. The directors were: Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Blume, Mr. and Mrs. Egon Tietjen, Mr. and Mrs. Charlie Tobias, Mr. and Mrs. Milton Kaase, Mr. and Mrs. Curt Tietjen, Mr. and Mrs. Bill Meyer and Mr. and Mrs. E.J. Hensel.
Funeral services were held for: V.J. Koss, 70, a La Grange native, and Ervin A. Mieth, 69, a native of New Ulm.
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