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The Fayette County Record, Tuesday, November 2, 2021

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The Fayette County Record, Tuesday, November 2, 2021

ing Day - 1920 en p O l a it p os H ial Fayette Memor

1920ss 1920

The Fayette County Record, 100 Years of History a Page at a Time The Fayette County Record was published infrequently by various ownership groups as far back as the late 1800s.

But The Fayette County Record as it’s known today, marks the beginning of its 100th year of continuous publication with today’s issue on Nov. 2, 2021.

This incarnation of The Record was founded by L.J. Sulak and Fran S. Bambuch on Nov. 3, 1922 in a frame building a little east of the courthouse square on W. Travis St. This location later became Max’s Cleaner, which was still later torn down to become the parking lot for La Berry’s Exxon Station. By this time, The Record had moved across the street to a new building.

Farmers Publishing Company, the first publisher of The Record started by Mr. Sulak and Mr. Bambuch, was a stock company. There were about 50 stockholders at this time. The company also served as a print shop.

The Record staff at this time included the two owners, with the help of the Rev. A.E. Moebus.

Lena and John Sulak also helped after school.

It took a full day to run off the four-page tabloid on the hand-operated press. The very first issue, Volume 1, Number 1, was published on Nov. 3, 1922. Back in the early years of The Record, the type was all set by hand with each letter and number being separate. Mr. Sulak once told of the time when he and Rev. Moebus were moving a front page from onto the press, but someone had forgotten to tighten the quoins (form locks), and the whole front page fell. “ It wasn’t a very proper time for a preacher to be around at that moment,” Mr. Sulak was remembered as saying.

L.J. Sulak told a story many times as the type was set, the paper was ready to go to press, but the paper stock would still be waiting at the depot to be picked up COD. With no money handy, the staff would have to go out and drum up some new subscriptions. In those days press day was always a challenge.

The price was then one dollar per year; a classified ad was one cent a word.

As the paper grew, things improved. A Model 14 Linotype, which at that time was the very latest machine for typesetting, and a power driven four page press were installed. With this new equipment, the company was able to print the paper twice a week, then three times a week. As the depression descended, the paper returned to being a semi-weekly, which it has been ever since.

In 1943, The Record bought a used 10 page Duplex Rotary Press, which caused the staff a series of headaches, wasted paper and flared tempers, until they finally worked out the kinks in the system. Bambuch took very good care of this Duplex and printed over 10 million copies of the paper on it before it was “put out to pasture” and a new offset method was used.

In 1965 a press machinery salesman visiting the printing shop said that this Duplex was one of the two presses of this type still in operation. There were very few of these 10 page presses put on the market due to their bulkiness.

The Duplex weighed about 18,000 pounds. It was bought after a fire destroyed a printing company in Missouri. In order to ship it, the press had to be disassembled, which ended up like a jigsaw

was introduced, which would be faster and therefore would enable the firm to offer more possibilities in reproducing prepared ads and other material and would also make clearer photo reproductions.

It took about 28 hours to set up the plates to print the 14 pages of the paper.

After the plates were made and checked, they were sent to Brenham where the 5,350 copies were run off on the offset press in about 45 minutes.

In October 1974, a new home for The Record was built at 127 S. WashingGrange San Jacinto Day Parade in 1924 ton, the location where the newspaper is still located.

The 4,465 square foot building, home of The Fayette Publishing Company, was divided into departments for the newspaper, office supply sales and commercial printing shop.

The front area in 1974 held a reception room, customer service counter, editorial department, publisher’s office, bookkeeper, office, supply section and the “bridal nook.”

There were also the editor’s 1920 La G range Foot office, morgue, dark rooms, rest ball Team rooms, cold type, make-up department and refreshment lounge. The puzrest of the building at that time, zle to be reassembled.

1,360 sq. ft area contained the comAt this time, The Record was the only paper mercial printing and binding department, the plate composed and printed entirely in town and had the processing area, the smelting room and the open second largest paid circulation of any non-daily stock shelves. The mailing room was also located paper in the state of Texas. In August of 1938, the very biggest issue ever printed on the old four page in the back of the shop where the newspapers were Coltrell was a 44 page Century of Progress Edition addressed and sacked to leave on the evening mail truck bound for the subscriber’s homes. to honor Fayette County’s centennial.

In the Century of Progress issue, August 1938, L.J. Sulak, the founder of the paper, was on the the subscription price was two dollars per year; a Board of regents for the University of Texas from classified advertisement ran three cents per word 1928 to 1934. He also served in the State Senate for the first insertion and one and a half cents per from 1932 to 1946. Mr. Sulak passed away on word for subsequent insertions.

Sept. 10, 1967. He was the editor of The Record In 1953 the subscription rates were three dolfrom 1922 to 1955 and then from 1960 to 1965. lars per year.

Johnnie Sulak, as he was called by many, after As of 1965, subscriptions were three dollars his graduation from St. Edward’s University in and fifty cents per year; classified ads were five 1931, became the managing and associate editor cents per word and three cents for each word for and later the editor of The Record, except for the second insertion. years between December 1942 and September In 1970 the price of the paper had gone up to 1945, while he was in the Navy. He died on July four dollars. The first insertion for classified ads 14, 1960. L.J. Sulak again resumed more responwas seven cents and five cents for subsequent sibility with the paper as editor-manager and insertions.

Charles W. Priebe was named managing editor.

In 1972 the subscription rate rose to five dolPriebe started as a reporter on Sept. 1, 1936. lars per year, the price of classified advertisements During one period from 1945 to 1954 he went into remained the same. business for himself. Priebe remained with the In 1976 the rates were six dollars per year newspaper until the death of his wife, Alida Priebe and a classified ad was eight cents per word with on Dec. 15, 1978.

A long time employee of The Record was Lena subsequent insertions a five cents per word.

In 2021, a yearly subscription was $54 inSulak Cernosek who worked from 1926 to 1936 county. Classified ads started at $8 and retail and then again from 1943 until the paper was sold advertising was $10 per column inch. in 1965.

Documentation shows that The Record serThe Record was purchased by Bonner and viced about 70 percent of homes in the county in Virginia McMillion of Waco, later of Austin, on 1976.

Sept. 1, 1965 and they formed the Fayette PublishIn 1965 staff members numbered eight. At this ing Co. McMillion was the publisher and Priebe became the Editor. Virginia McMillion assisted her time machines were setting the type and the printing was being done on a continuous roll press. husband as feature writer during this time.

At the time of the 50th anniversary, the staff In December 1967, an offset printing method

had grown to ten active members. In addition to the regular staff members, there were several community reporters sending in news from outlying towns and communities.

In 1976, the Richard L. Barton Sr. family purchased The Record. Barton Sr. became the publisher/editor, their son Richard Barton Jr. was the general manager and his wife Nonnie, was the bookkeeper and managed the composition room.

A short time later, Don Hengst became the owner of the office supplies and printing aspect of the business and moved this portion to Hengst’s present location on W. Travis.

It was at this time that the business was a newspaper business only.

The Bartons formed a corporation, which is now owned and managed by the Barton family.

Barton Sr. served as chairman of the board, Barton Jr. as president/CEO; Nonnie Barton, secretary; Nelda Barton, treasurer; and Regina Barton Keilers, vice-president.

On November 5, 1986, The Record became the only newspaper in La Grange when The Record purchased the La Grange Journal subscription list.

In 1994, The Record had been completely computerized. It has all of its bookkeeping, production ad work, copy setting and subscriptions on computers.

The paper was still printed in Brenham then where about 6,000 plus copies were printed twice a week.

Beginning in 1995, The Record offered a new product entitled, Total Market Coverage (TMC) that goes into every home in Fayette County once a month (now on the second Friday of every month).

In 1994 it maintained a staff of 10 persons and they include: Richard Barton Jr., publisher-editor; Nonnie Barton, Corporate bookkeeper/payroll; Lillie Sulak, (57 years) staff writer; Aileen Loehr, (30 years) ad sales and staff writer; Carolyn Rost, (16 years) production; Melissa Krnavek, bookkeeper and classifieds, Hertha Kruse, ad sales; Elaine Brandt; circulation, and Mystery Walter, darkroom production.

Then, as today, there were still area correspondents who write news columns for the newspaper as there were in years past.

After the death of Richard Barton Jr. in 2006, Larry Jackson was hired as editor/publisher.

In 2012, longtime local teacher Regina Keilers, the daughter of Richard Barton Sr. and Nelda Barton, returned to The Record full time and was named publisher on Jan. 1, 2013.

At that same time Larry Jackson retired and Jeff Wick was named editor. The current in-house staff of the newspaper can be viewed, in detail, on page 12 of this section. In recent years since, The Record has added a host of digital offerings, thriving website, facebook, instagram and twitter pages.

The newspaper now is printed at the Bryan Eagle and trucked back to La Grange every Monday and Thursday morning for labeling and distribution.

The Record has also continued to grow in paid print circulation in the past few years with an average paid circulation per issue now standing at 5,680, making it the largest semiweekly newspaper in the state of Texas. The cost per issue is $1.

In 2018 and 2021, the Texas Press Association crowned The Fayette County Record as the top semiweekly in the entire state in it’s Better Newspaper Contest.

The Fayette County Record, Tuesday, November 2, 2021

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1930ss 1930 MEETING HERE OKEHS FLOOD INVESTIGATION Farmers Tell of Losses Suffered in Recent High Water — 1938 —

A crowd of some two hundred people composed mostly of Colorado river valley farmers who but lost all or part of their crops in the recent flood, met in main meeting on city hall grounds Tuesday Night to almost unanimously endorse the actions of the Fayette county committee and four other county judges of four other counties in pushing the senate investigation of the “man made flood.”

Between forty and fifty of the farmers and others present at the meeting offered to accompany the committee Wednesday morning when the investigation was resumed, and were on hand bright and early Wednesday for the trip.

Nearly everyone at the meeting was of the opinion that had the flood gates at Buchanan dam been opened up sooner to allow much of the water to escape before the flood waters from up the river arrived, the stage below the dam would have been several feet lower than what it was and as a result would have lessened the damage by far.

County Judge E. A. Arnim Jr. And Sen. L. J. Sulak were the principal speakers, and gave a review as to what has taken place in the investigation to date. Others to speak were County Judge R. B. Alexander of Bastrop county. J.H. Wooden, superintendent of schools at Columbus and several farmers who lost heavily in the flood.

“It has been rumored that we have not represented the farmers but instead have been acting as the tools of utility companies in this investigation,” Judge Arnim said. “This is anything but the truth and to prove it to the big boys, you’re going to have to back us up if we are to continue this fight,” he told the gathering.

“You (meaning the farmers) will have a perfect right to sue the CRA for damages but first we must prove that the CRA is guilty of negligence, and therefore we want a separate state investigation from the federal investigation,” the judge said.

“The fight has just started,” Senator Sulak told the meeting.

“We don’t want to concede them (the CRA) the power to use these dams exclusively for power producing purposes, but for flood control primarily.”

Farmers who gave accounts of their losses were Fred Wilkins, Jacob Koehl of near Ellinger, Martin Pechal, John Novosad of near Ellinger, and Richard Miller and several others. All told of losing practically all of their crops that much of their farmland was badly washed by all the fast moving waters, and that the water when it first started to rise looked much to close to be a “natural” flood.

Rev. A. E. Moebus, Lenert Tiemann who operates a store at Rabbs Prairie, Dr. B. Schmidt and County Agent J. C. Yearly also came up for brief remarks and urged that “this investigation get to the bottom of this thing in order to prevent a reoccurrence in the future.”

At the conclusion of the meeting practically every farmer present signed his name on a petition endorsing the county committee’s action in the investigation.

FAYETTE FARMERS REFUSE TO BE INTIMIDATED AT INVESTIGATION — 1938 —

A delegation of fifty Fayette county farmers who lost all or much of their crops in the recent Colorado river overflow refuse to be intimidated or “hooted out” of the Texas capitol Wednesday when a senate committee resumed its investigation in the cause of the devastating July flood.

Seeking to discredit the investigation, a group of Austin people and others from towns above Austin, who had come in response to pressing invitations extended by Congressman Lyndon Johnson through the postmasters appeared at the hearing wearing arm bands reading “With CRA.” But their presence and applause of their speakers failed to stir the grim-

visaged farmers who stood by helplessly a few days ago and saw their year’s efforts washed away by water released from Buchanan dam.

The farmers stuck by their guns and their applause to their representatives outweighed that of the delegation which apparently hoped to kill the investigation.

By the afternoon session, the “With CRA” people had either left the capitol or were ashamed to be seen wearing their armbands. There was not one to be anywhere.

iver Flood 1935 Colorado R

The charge by Mayor Tom Miller of Austin, who hopes to see his name perpetuated in a dam above Austin, that the investigation was instigated by power companies, was warmly denied by Senator L. J. Sulak and Judge E. A. Arnim Jr. They minced no words in branding the charge as an infernal lie and produced a resolution signed by the flood sufferers of this section demanding an investigation. they made it abundantly clear that the people living in the affected counties below Austin had no intention to

hamper the development of the river, but that they refused to be made the goats through someone’s negligence or mismanagement.

The hearing seeks to arrive at the cause of the overflow. If it can be shown that was negligence or mismanagement in the operation of Buchanan dam, the way may be cleared for collection of damages, and for enactment of measures that will prevent a reoccurrence.

La Grange people have expressed amusement at the attitude taken by Austin officials and the Austin papers.

1935 Flood Photo Ta ken from the Corner of the Court house Square

Old Colorado Bridge Is Opened To Traffic Thursday Afternoon — 1938 —

Construction work on the temporary span on the old Colorado river bridge was completed Thursday and traffic began moving over the bridge early

Thursday afternoon.

The new 80-foot span replaced the one washed out on July 27 by flood waters. This section of the bridge is now in better condition than what it was before the flood, according to

Paul Goldammer, foreman of the bridge maintenance crew.

The state highway department showed prompt response to appeals of the La Grange Chamber of Commerce and officials to repair the structure, the

new unit having been complimented in only about two weeks time. It was at first estimated that it would require from three to four weeks to complete the temporary structure.

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The Fayette County Record, Tuesday, November 2, 2021

1940ss 1940 LA GRANGE ON A BUILDING BOOM — 1949 —

It’s not spectacular. It’s not too obvious but the truth is that La Grange is on the biggest building boom in years. The barometer is the requests in to the city for various permits and information needed preliminary to construction.

City Engineer W.C. Hruska, advises these requests reveal that six buildings and fourteen residences are now under construction or will be started in a short time.

One of the most advanced of the non-residential structures are the Darter-Looney Implement company building and the building for St. Paul Lutheran church. Foundations are being laid this week for three others a feed store for J.A. Hagler and a combina-

tion hatchery and feed store for E.G. Albers, both on the former property across from the high school and a building for the city park. Otto Renck is planning another building on the former S.P. Property.

The fourteen residences now under construction or about to be started include three duplexes Mr. Hruska said.

At least three of the nonresidential buildings are utilizing Camp Swift material. They are the Lutheran education building, Mr. Hagler’s feed warehouse and the Teenville building. The former is already in place and the others are expected to be delivered shortly.

Four other major projects are nearing the completion stage. They are the Hernes el-

ementary school, the additions to the Randolph high school, the new home for the First National bank and the new Zion Lutheran School. Many lesser structures, both residential and commercial, have been completed in recent months.

Yet in the drawing board stage is another big project, the new Lauterstein’s store, which promises to be one of the most modern in South Texas.

To those who see the building progress from day to day, the growth of the city is not spectacular, but to other periodic visitors it is something for immediate comment.

Yes, La Grange is definitely on a building boom-not mushrooming, but building to meet the needs of a steadily growing community.

Airport Here Will NUMBERING OF HOUSES TO BEGIN IN CITY FRIDAY — Sept 16, 1949 — mail can be passed.

Numbering of residences Open Sunday As soon as the numbering — July 25, 1947 —

La Grange will officially open its new airport, about a mile west of town and just off the Austin highway to the left.

Sunday some 40 pilots and passengers from neighboring towns are expected.

The La Grange Chamber of Commerce, which initiated the airport movement many months ago and which has pushed it continuously to successful conclusion, will be host to the visitors at a breakfast at the Lester Hotel club room beginning at 8 a.m.

and business places preliminary to start house to house mail delivery will get underway in La Grange Friday.

On that date, it has been announced, H.C. Henniger, representing the city, will start calling at each dwelling or business place to notify occupants of the correct number. Members of the Boy Scouts who will have approved numerals and will attach then at designated places will accompany him. The cost of the numbers is 30 cents.

Occupants of each place will also be required to provide a box or a slit through which

job has been completed, postal representatives will check the installations and if approved, will permit the start of delivery service on or after October 1.

After patrons are notified of their correct address, they are requested to notify the post office of the names of all person who are to receive mail at that address. This will be helpful at the start in making proper delivery. Also, patrons are urged to notify publishers of newspapers and magazines to which they subscribe of the compete address at which they wish to receive mail.

SHERIFF'S RADIO GOES ON AIR, WORKS PERFECTLY — July 12, 1949 —

Sheriff Jim Flournoy’s new short wave radio station KKA812 went on the air Saturday at 3:25 p.m. and in the original and subsequent tests, proved operating to perfection.

Bill Broman, chief techni-

cian, and Steve Clark, assistant, of the State Department of Public Safety, Austin, completed shortly before instillation of the broadcasting equipment and receiver. Leroy Stolle and E.R. Owen assisted with Stolle doing the ticklish work of installing the antenna atop the

water tower.

The first call went to Columbus. Others were made to Houston, Richmond, Angleton, Wharton, Austin and other places. Contact was also made with deputies’ cars at Schulenburg and Flatonia. In all cases operation was perfect.

Record Snow, Cold Hit La Grange — February 1, 1949 —

Six inches of snow and two degree temperature was experienced by La Grange Sunday and Monday, setting a record unmatched in the memory of oldest residents.

The entire area was covered with a beautiful blanket of snow, which started falling in the wee hours of Sunday morning, and continued until three in the afternoon. The sun then came out and caused just enough thaw to ice over the roads and streets and turn snow to ice on trees, shrubs and

wires.

By 7 a.m. Monday the mercury had dropped to a low of two degrees. A bright sun came out, however, and by noon the temperature was 39 degrees.

A check with several longtime residents indicates that the snow was the heaviest ever recorded here. The temperature, if several thermometers are accurate, is at least the equal of the lowest on record.

As far as damage is concerned, it was yet to be determined. Cattle obviously suffered in the bitter cold, but

whether there will be actual losses depends on how the stock had been fed and what protection from the weather was afforded, County Agent J.C. Yeary said. In most cases of exposure, however it will take a lot of feeding to put on weight lost, he believes.

Effect on crops was negligible since there was little vegetation and gardens escaped the bitter wind. Friday, the covering of snow probably gave protection from near zero temperature.

What damage was done

to water pipes and automobile radiators remained to be seen when the thawing begins.

Plumbers had no calls up to mid-morning Monday. Garages had numerous calls on dead batteries and cars sliding into ditches, etc. but so far no broken radiators were reported.

There were no serious highway mishaps.

The heavy coating of snow caused suspension of bus service in the area Sunday. If was thought service might resume Monday afternoon if the roads cleared sufficiently. Trains were

running many hours behind schedule as during the several days before.

Telephone lines held up despite the ice, although traffic was so heavy that an extra operator had to be put on duty Sunday and Monday.

Gas and electric service continued without interruption although gas pressure was down somewhat because of the unprecedented consumption.

The only highway in this area to be closed to travel was the Bluff drive early Sunday morning. It was opened later

in the day. Other highways, although slick and dangerous, remained open.

Both public and parochial schools in La Grange were closed Monday. Whether either will be open Tuesday depends on the turn in the weather, officials indicated.

The six inches of snow recorded here provided .55 inches of precipitation virtually all of which is expected to go into the ground as the thaw begins. It brings the months total to 5.07 inches, all badly needed.

The Fayette County Record, Tuesday, November 2, 2021

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1950ss 1950 MASS IMMUNIZATION IS SCHEDULED IN APRIL — March 22, 1955 —

Several hundred Fayette County school children in school grades one and two may soon have protection against paralytic polio through a free mass immunization program this spring, if the Salk polio vaccine wins federal approval.

The plan to vaccinate youngsters of the first two grades of county schools, public as well as parochial told now for

the first time was revealed last weekend

by Dr. .F. Zatopek, county health officer and Charlie Jungmichel of La Grange, publicity chairman for the project.

The forthcoming inoculations were mentioned at the P.T.A. meeting here recently, but at the time there was no tangible information as the type of immunization nor the dates.

The two officials said no definite time can yet be set for the immunization, but it is hoped to start then some time in April.

The planned mass immunizations,

details which are now being worked out and awaiting only the signal to start things entirely upon the approval of the Salk vaccine.

— August 26, 1955 —

unknown. After the slow and dangerous task of recovering the cases from the shaky building, each case will have to be inspected for possible breakage, cleaned of any glass chips and otherwise checked, Mr. Pieratt said. Until every case has been given a thorough going over, the loss will not be known.

Unfortunately, Bob moaned, insurance doesn’t cover that kind of loss. But he’s taking it good-naturedly in fact, was probably the first wisecrack that “Beer went down in La Grange!”

SECOND FAYETTE POW FREED — Sept. 1, 1953 —

Anniversary Employees of Farmers Lumber on their 50th

State Parks Board Advises Major Park is Aim on Monument Hill — Dec. 13, 1955 —

The State Parks Board would like to see the entire Kreische property on the Bluff created into a self-sustaining state park, according to information received by Rep. Homer L. Koliba of Columbus from R.W. Barlow, assistant executive director of the board.

Mr. Barlow wrote as follows: “In January 1953 an inspection was made of the area which previously had been the property of H.L. and Josephine Kreische, with the thought of developing a park.

“This inspection was made

with the thought of a self-sustaining park. It was the opinion of those making the inspection that if the entire area were acquired, it would be possible to develop a park that would be self-sustaining; however, it would require the entire area to make this project feasible.

“The conclusion was that this would be a worthwhile park project, combining great recreational advantages and historical interest, with the added advantage that is might be useful in providing funds for the continued care of the strictly historical site.

“We appreciate the coopera-

— 1953 —

Bohus J. Janda who has been a prisoner of war in Korea is soon to be back in the United States in the near future according to a telegram received by his parent Mr. and Mrs. Frank G. Janda. The telegram was from Major Wm. E. Bergin. that advised Janda would be returned to the States at an early date.

Janda was captured on Dec. 1. 1950 and became a prisoner of war in Korea.

BEER WENT DOWN IN LA GRANGE: 2749 CASES OF IT Jax beer went down in La Grange Sunday afternoon and it flowed freely. But if brought no satisfaction whatever to distributor Robert Pieratt.

The beer- 2749 cases of it went through the floor into the basement when the floor joists gave way at the old Schuhmacher warehouse Sunday afternoon. The crash was heard over a block away.

Many of the bottles were broken and beer flowed down the concrete floor.

Extent of the damage is

BOHUS JANDA FREED, RETURN HOME IS EXPECTED SHORTLY

tion of the fine people in and around La Grange, and hope that we will be able to cooperate further with them for the improvement of Monument Hill State Park.”

At the present time efforts are being made to acquire approximately four acres to care for immediate needs. This acreage will have to be furnished by local funds with the park board making the necessary improvements.

It is hoped that the 1957 legislature will provide funds with which to acquire the other desired acreage to make this a truly outstanding state park.

Percy Berel, 44, a professional soldier who has been in the army for nearly ten years and who has been a prisoner of war in Korea for nearly two years and ten months has been released and is expected to return to the USA shortly.

Percy a former employee of Mohrhusen-Schmidt here is the son of Warren and Rachel Berel of Plum, and the brother of Erma Mischer popular household employee of La Grange.

The First National Bank Employees

LHS Auditorium Showing New Appliances to the Pu blic

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The Fayette County Record, Tuesday, November 2, 2021

1960ss 1960 PROPOSED GOLF COURSE, CLUB PLEDGE FIGURE TOPS 100 — February 1966 —

$150,000 facility to include a 9-hole golf course, clubhouse and swimming pool.

Pledge card solicitors, in their meeting at La Grange State Bank indicated that about half the likely prospects in La Grange have been contacted.

They hope to secure at least 150 pledges from La Grange itself, another 75 from towns and communities in Fayette county, and the final 75 from outside

the county. Virtually all pledges thus far are from La Grange, and the campaign for outside members is yet to begin.

LG Man to Moon

In compliance with President Johnson’s designation, La Grange and Fayette County practically closed shop Monday as a day of mourning for the late President Kennedy.

Local schools, both public and Sacred Heart parochial, were the first to announce the schools would close in tribute to Mr. Kennedy. Then later Saturday, Chamber of Commerce officials agreed the day to be thusly observed and La Grange Mayor Milton Von Minden made it official by issuing a proclamation to that effect.

Local federal offices, including the post office, had been closed by presidential order.

As a result, only a few places of business which ordinarily don’t close on Sunday or legal holidays-cafes, service stations and the like catered to customers Monday.

Over 100 pledges have been signed for the proposed golf course and country club to be built adjacent to the Monument Hill Development.

This was the count last Thursday night at the first full report of backers of the project.

The pledge card was launched February 1. Being sought is a maximum membership of 300, which will assure building of a

— Nov. 15, 1968 —

Maj. William A. (Bill) Anders, a La Grange-reared astronaut, will get a trip to the moon for Christmas. The three-man Apollo 8 crew got the official assignment Tuesday to take man’s deepest penetration in space, a Christmas orbit of the moon. The crew of Col. Frank Forman, veteran commander of man’s longest flight from this planet; Capt. James A. Lovell, who has more time in earth orbit than any man; and Major Anders making his first space flight, drew this most daring and challenging assignment.

The Apollo spacecraft is scheduled to be launched Dec. 21 at Cape Kennedy, Fla. Borman, Lovell and Anders will bring their spacecraft to within 69 miles of the rugged

lunar surface as they circle that lone natural earth satellite 10 times on Christmas Eve and Christmas.

It will be a flight of more than a half a million miles.

Man has never been more than 900 miles from the planet. The mean distance of the moon from the earth is 238,000 miles.

Major Anders, 35, attended junior high and high school here from 1949 until 1951, during which time his parents, Comdr. (ret.) Arthur Anders lived in La Grange and Arthur Anders was associated with his brother Edgar F. Anders with Hermes Drug store.

The La Grange-reared astronaut his wife and five children reside in El Lago Estates in Houston.

Nation Mourns JFK’s Death; La Grange, County Observe Day of Mourning — Nov. 26, 1963 —

ON GOPHERS, THERE IS WAR DECLARED ON THE BLUFF — Dec. 16, 1966 —

Gophers trying to enjoy the fine grazing on the new golf course at Monument Hill are getting a hard time these days from two La Grange High School boys engaged in an extensive trapping project.

Don Steinmann and Ronald Von Minden took on the job last week at the request of the Frisch Auf! Valley Country Club board of direc-

tors, concerned about damage to the course from invading gophers.

The boys use about eight traps and do their work after school and on weekends.

They get a small stipend for each dead gopher, no dead gophers, no pay.

Soil Conservation service people are due soon to head off the gophers and other rodents on a large scale. They

will dig a trench around the course and inject it with chemicals to keep rodents from the perimeter. Gophers already inside the course, having worked their way up from the lower ground toward the greens and tee boxes must be exterminated.

Meanwhile, the local boys are doing their best to hold down the gopher population on Monument Hill.

NEW FIELD READY FOR GAME; MINOR PROJECTS REMAIN — July 12, 1969 —

La Grange School’s new Leopard Field will be ready for the opening football game this Friday except for a few minor installations. There won’t be any hot water in the dressing rooms, and the restrooms under the east stands aren’t finished.

Otherwise, the field is ready to play.

Crews were busy this week erecting the steel wire fence and temporary bleachers. These bleachers will be in front of the stands on both sides, for use by band and cheering sections, and will be removed at the end of the football season, when work is started on the cinder track.

Supt. C.A. Lemmons says

that about $20,000 has been spent building the new field, all this from available funds. An additional $45,000 was paid last spring for the 30 acre tract of land which is partly taken up by the athletic field and parking areas.

Fayette M emorial

Lighting is reported to be much better at the new field than at the old one. So is the view for spectators, with the stands raised several feet higher than before. The same stands and light poles were used, but the lights and reflectors are all new.

Hospital

Groundbr

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LG, Area Ride Out Hurricane Carla — Sept. 15, 1961 —

La Grange rode the eastern edge of Hurricane Carla to victory in the wee hours of Tuesday morning.

It was perhaps a costly victory material-wise, but the city and environs emerged triumphant in that there was no loss of life nor even the most minor injury as far as could be determined.

Trees of all sorts including various types of shade trees, and also pecans, took a terrific beating in the hurricane winds.

Practically all pecans were stripped from trees.

Largest single item of property damage was destruction of the Sky-Hi Drive in theatre screen in the Riverside addition. The Guenther air-

plane hangar, in the same area, had much of the roof taken off and the force of the wind ripped part of the east tile wall out.

The roof of the Charlie Tobias Co. was ripped by the hurricane winds and rain poured into the interior. Mr. And Mrs. Tobias and employees moved much of the furniture out of the way but many man-hours were required to mop up the accumulated water and dry the wares. Damage was reported to have been quite extensive.

Six hundred feet of the roof of the KJT home office building here was ripped off, with the lower floor being flooded by the water that seeped through the two upper

floors. Nearly the entire ceiling of the ground floor was water stained and much of the furniture will have to be refinished. Luckily, the records in the vault were unharmed.

Part of the roof at the back of the Ben Franklin store was torn off, with the result that a considerable amount of Christmas merchandise was damaged. The loss was estimated to run around several hundred dollars.

Part of the roof of the city hall fire station was torn, letting in the driving rain, and several awnings in front of business places were ripped off.

Unharvested crops, especially cotton, were pretty badly hit. County Agent Clinton

R. Bippert described cotton as being “badly loused up.”

Most of the feed crops were harvested and corn that is still in the fields can be salvaged if sunshine prevails, the agent said. It may not be salable corn, but it will be usable.

It is estimated that about 20 percent of what would have been a 50 percent pecan crop is all that is left.

Area dairymen in many cases also were hard hit due to the failure of electric power that operates their milking facilities and cooling equipment.

Damage to peanuts will not be severe, County Agent Bippert believes. Those that were dug can dry out with good weather and nuts still in the ground should survive.

River On Fast Rise

The three-day rains that totaled 10.04 inches here, and even more upstream sent the Colorado River to over the 30footmark. The highest recorded was 30.3 at 8:30 p.m. But it is believed to be near the peak.

Most of the big creeks in the area, including Buckner’s, William’s and Rabb’s, were on near record highs and as a result many FM and other roads were closed.

Service Lines Hit

The Southwestern States Telephone Co. had about 350 lines out. That was the approximate number that showed up on switchboards and there may be even more, C.E. Godby Sr., combination man for the company said. We are doing all

we can to get service restored to subscribers, “but it is a slow job.” Mr. Godby explained.

The town was in darkness for a time Monday night when the substation north of La Grange went out for several hours.

Fayette Electric Cooperative’s major headache was principally individual service outages and not main line breakage. Only about 25-30 poles were broken along highlines, considered minor in the vast system.

Hurricane Carla is now history but her effects will be visible for a while.

The job of cleaning up is in full swing and may take some time, but grateful she spared life an limb.

The Fayette County Record, Tuesday, November 2, 2021

1970ss 1970

Champions te ta S e u g Lea 1974 Little

State, Local Officials on Record That Chicken Ranch Here Permanently Closed — Aug. 7, 1973 —

The thing that many people said would never happen (or vowed would not) happened last Tuesday night. The Chicken Ranch, La Grange’s far-famed whore house, was closed by order of Fayette County Sheriff T.J. Flournoy.

Flournoy, who told reporters he could accomplish this “with a phone call,” did so after a call from Texas Governor Dolph Briscoe requesting that the house be closed.

How long it would remain closed was the big question by the weekend, and the word from both local and state officials was “permanently.”

“It is permanently closed and that resolves the problem,” Gov. Briscoe told reporters in Austin last Thursday morning, adding that “the laws of this state must be equally and fairly enforced, period.”

His statements came after a scheduled meeting at his office on the matter failed to take

place.

The Governor, Attorney General John Hill, and Department of Public Safety Director Col. Wilson Spier were supposed to meet Flournoy, Austin County Sheriff T.A. Maddoc (a similar brothel has been operating for several years at Sealy), and District Attorney Oliver S. Kitzman, whose district embraces both counties.

The meeting was called off by Kitzman, who phoned the Governor’s office shortly before the 10 a.m. appointment time to say that the problem had been resolved with the closing of the two houses and that there was no point in meeting with Briscoe.

The Governor told newsmen afterward that, except for a continued Texas Department of Public Safety investigation into “where the money goes (went),” the matter had been settled.

Col. Spier, the state’s top lawman, said the DPS has had the La Grange house under scrutiny for two months but had come up with no evidence to show that it was linked with organized crime.

Talk of such with respect to the Chicken Ranch, originating with a complaint from Houston television newsman Marvin Zindler, had been mainly responsible for the series of meetings and news stories leading to the crackdown. “It depends on what you define as organized

columns Barton’s popular k ic D of st ir F e Th Record in 1976. e th ht ug bo y il m after his fa

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crime,” Spier asserted.

Following a meeting of the three state officials on Tuesday which led to the closures, Hill told newsmen: “We’re going to say to the local people, ‘We want the law enforced, and we want it enforced now’... We all feel the laws of the state cannot be selectively enforced. You’ve got a situation where the law is not being enforced on a local level.”

The Attorney General was in Washington on Friday attending a meeting of the American Bar Association, but his special assistant, Elizabeth Levantino, told The Record that the La Grange brothel “will remain permanently closed ... a quiet reopening will not take place.” She said, “It is our understanding that no such reopening is anticipated.”

Sheriff Flourney underscored this in La Grange. “It is closed -- permanently,” he told The Record.

On the day following the closing – Wednesday – television and newspaper reports indicated that a delegation of La Grange officials and civic leaders would show up at the Governor’s meeting with petitions “bearing several thousand signatures” calling for the reopening of the “ranch.”

Flournoy said Friday that the petitions were not presented. As for the meeting, “we saw it was going to be nothing but a television show, “ he said, “and we didn’t go.”

Rumors were rampant on Wednesday that the La Grange Chamber of Commerce was circulating the petitions, but

CC President J.C. Warhol emphatically denied this, as did chamber manager John L. Giese, La Grange Mayor L.W. Stolz Jr. also denied any involvement comment on the brothel’s closing. “It’s a county matter,” he said.

Sparked by reports of the petitions (“Meanwhile,” said AP’S Wednesday story, “housewives, teachers, businessmen, and the weekly newspaper publisher petitioned Gov. Dolph Briscoe to keep Edna’s Fashionable Ranch Boarding House open”), TV crews and news reporters swarmed into town on Thursday, seeking interviews. They got less than they came for --- or at least a different reaction from what they evidently expected.

By then, more and more people were speaking out against the brothel and the bad publicity it had brought to their community.

Opponents stressed the illegality of the operation, the bad name and wide notoriety given to La Grange, and the hypocrisy involved in its toleration. Proponents emphasized that the “ranch” was “good for business” and had “kept down rape and venereal disease.”

TV-man Zindler was frequently blamed as an outsider meddling in local affairs.

Zindler began his expose about two weeks ago, calling on Gov. Briscoe for comments and action. The series of news reports culminating last Thursday received nationwide attention, to the point where, last Friday night, jokes were being made about La Grange.

Johnnie Johnson #20

LA GRANGE AMERICAN LEGION HALL, BOWLING LANES DESTROYED BY FIRE — Nov. 11, 1977 — ings were damaged but occuA fire described as the pants of Retama Nursing Home worst here in about 50 years dewere evacuated. The evacuation stroyed the La Grange Ameriwas smoothly carried out in can Legion Hall and bowling about an hour’s time. lanes Monday afternoon. The A total of 92 residents were fire alarm went off at 3:25 p.m. moved. Fourteen were taken to and the blaze was well under Fayette Memorial Hospital, 50 way by the time firefighters to Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church could get to the scene.

Fellowship Hall and the others Fire Chief Rudolph said were picked up by relatives. about 45 of the city’s volunVoss said smoke was headteer firefighters were present. ed toward the nursing home and The fire was under control in set off the smoke detectors. about an hour and a half but Voss said sparks did start a men continued the fight until small blaze on shed behind the midnight, then a watchman Hermes hoe but it was extinwas left on duty through the guished with no damage. night. The building was a total Three trains were delayed loss. The walls that were still because hoses were laid across standing were bulldozed down the tracks. about 10:30 p.m. as a safety Leon Reeder, vice comprecaution. mander of American Legion Items saved were the AmerPost No. 102 estimated the ican Legion sign and a metal building value at $300,00. garland from the old Casino.

The building also housed The fire consumed a the bowling alley and was used number of trophies as well as for dances, wedding recephistoric photographs. The origin tions, reunions and business of the fire was the attic of the meetings, as well as American dance hall area. No cause was Legion activities. known, although Voss theorized it almost had to be related to the wiring.

No other fire departments were called in, Voss said, because the local department had enough equipment and lines and other departments could not have helped.

Barton Sr. No other buildNelda & Richard rd in 1976. purchased the Reco

Large Chimney U nder Constructio n at Fayette Power Project

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The Fayette County Record, Tuesday, November 2, 2021

1980ss 1980 BYPASS DESIGNS WELL UNDERWAY GLADYS FAREK SCHEDULED AS — Oct. 30, 1984 —

The designs of the first section of the western unit of the U.S. 77 Highway bypass around La Grange should be ready to be sent in for regional and state approval late in November.

Mike Behrens, resident engineer for the State Highway Department office in Fayette County, said plans for the

Highway 71 bypass system should be sent to the highway department’s district office in Yoakum for approval at the end of November.

The department is in the process of designing a four-lane bypass around La Grange for Highway 71, which presently routes traffic directly through downtown La Grange.

Justice Center Dedication Ceremonies Set Aug. 10 — Aug. 9, 1985 —

The Fayette County Justice Center will be dedicated Saturday, Aug. 10 at 10 a.m.

The new $1.8 million facility is located on Hwy. 77, 1.3 miles north of Hwy. 71.

Immediately following the ceremony the public will be invited to tour the facility.

The jail will be 98 percent complete Saturday and is scheduled to be inspected by the Texas Jail Standards Commission Monday, Aug. 19. The facility will be opened to the public prior to completion so it can go into immediate use when final approval is received.

The public could not see the

entire jail if there were inmates.

Anyone that cannot attend the dedication but wants to tour the jail can do so until 4 p.m.

Administrative offices of the sheriff’s department, Department of Public Safety, and Justice of the Peace, Precinct No. 1 take up 2,800 square feet of the 14,086 square feet facility. The remainder is filled with 16 cells, two double cells, two dorms with four inmates each, two separation cells, and two cells with eight inmates each.

There are two holding cells for eight, one detoxification cell holding eight, and a violent or padded cell.

x Yoke ain and O h C a h it ll n Sr. w used to pu Jim Brow chain was e h T . er th e. s a ou to his f nty Courth belonging ayette Cou F e th d il rock to bu

The bypass will cut off from the present route of 71 on the south end of La Grange near Rocky Creek, where the highway turns from two lanes to four lanes. It will loop wide around La Grange, crossing Highway 77 North just south of the Fayette County Fairgrounds

JOHNNY CARSON SHOW GUEST — Dec. 22, 1989 —

For Gladys Farek, the lady from Cistern who makes the largest known fruitcake, the

dream became reality wen the staff of the Johnny Carson show contacted her to be on the show.

When asked how the Tonight Show heard of her they said it was in several newspapers.

FLAMING WELL CAPPED AFTER SIX ARE INJURED — Dec. 21, 1984 —

After blazing for almost 48 hours, often at heights of close to 200 feet, a forceful natural gas well near Round Top was extinguished Wednesday afternoon.

The Mikeska No. 1 well, on the Evelyn Mikeska property just two miles southwest of Round Top, exploded Monday afternoon as crews were attempting to remove a blowout collar. Gas from the well was believed to have been ignited when it came in contact with a hit engine of a nearby crane being used in removing the collar, according to an investigator from the Texas Railroad Commission.

Oil well firefighter Red Adair was called in to extinguish the burning well.

Clearing conditions Wednesday allowed for Red Adair’s crew to set up “water guns” at three different points around the well to douse the flames. Water, pumped from 14 tanks on site, was sprayed at the base of the flames and separated the flames from the gas to extinguish the blaze.

Royal Crown Cola Bottling Plant on E ast Travis Street

Sheriff Vastine Koopmann Robert Saunders and T.J. Flournoy in Front of Fayette County Courthouse

Editor Richard Barton Jr.

The Fayette County Record, Tuesday, November 2, 2021

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1990ss 1990 Earl Campbell Will Be Parade Marshall For Czhilispiel XIX — Oct. 15, 1991 —

Czhilispiel XIX, one of the best little festivals in Texas, will be held in Flatonia on Oct. 25-27. The Flatonia Chamber of Commerce has announced that the “Tyler Rose” -- Earl Campbell -- will be the parade marshall on Sunday, Oct. 27.

Earl Campbell sausage is made in nearby Waelder and should fit right in with the Czech-German theme. Recently selected to the National Football League Hall of Fame,

Earl Campbell has provided South Central Texas with many special memories. His many accomplishments with the Houston Oilers produced more records and honors in the NFL than anyone can recall.

The Texas State Legislature has passed a bill proclaiming Earl Campbell as the fourth official Hero of Texas -- he is a class with Stephen F. Austin, Davy Crockett, and Sam Houston! Everyone is invited to visit with the “Tyler Rose”

RAIN FALLING AND RIVER RISING — Nov. 24, 1991 —

Six days of rain which shattered records raised area lakes and the Colorado River to record levels. The Colorado River in La Grange was expected to crest at 43 feet Monday morning leaving some flooding in houses around the Frisch Auf! Country Club Golf course and some flooding in mobile homes in La Grange. The flooding was less than expected.

The Texas Highway Department, La Grange Utilities, Fayette Electric Co-op, La Grange Volunteer Fire Department, Fayette County Sheriff’s Department and the La Grange Police Department were on hand Sunday to help with emergency change over of utility power to the bluff area due to the rising Colorado River.

The City of La Grange has a main feeder line of 7200 volts going across the river at the Highway 77 Bridge. The line was located in the upstream side of the bridge. On the same span were telephones and cable television lines. As the river was rising the telephone lines were coming very near the water. There was a chance that debris could catch on the telephone lines causing an outage of electrical and phone service.

The bridge was closed to traffic for a period while crews changed lines to Fayette Electric Co-op back feed lines.

After the line was hooked up to the feeder line, the city cut the power line which can across the river bridge and allowed the traffic to move across the bridge.

at Czhilispiel!

Czhilispiel attracts over 25,000 people during the three-day Octoberfest that is always held on the fourth weekend of October. This famous Czech-German celebration produces outstanding free entertainment, free parking, and free admission -- the folks in Flatonia just hope everyone loves to eat and enjoy the music under the largest tented Biergarten in the world!

NOLAN RYAN FAMILY MAKES SUPPRISE VISIT — Feb. 9, 1990 —

Home Run Baseball Cards in La Grange has a surprise visit Sunday by Nolan Ryan and his family to view their Nolan Ryan Collection, which is one of the biggest collections of Ryan cards and sport memorabilia in the country.

The Ryan’s were on their way home from an alumni game at the University of Texas, where Nolan had thrown out the first ball. He had heard about the collection at the reception after the game.

Home Run is owned by Danny and Linda Hass.

EMU WORLD OWNERS APPEAR ON ‘GOOD MORNING AMERICA’, DAVID LETTERMAN — Jan. 3, 1992 —

Emu World of La Grange appeared on national television Friday, Dec. 13 on the “Good Morning America” show and “Late Night with David Letterman” with the famous and funny director of the Columbus, Ohio Zoo Jack Hanna.

It all started when emu received a call from the Sticklers of Stickler Premium Ostriches.

Doug Stickler has appeared with Jack Hanna before on another program, Jack was looking to have a segment on flightless birds on the “Good Morning America” show and wanted a large reputable breeder to represent the emu.

Since Emu World is the largest breeding farm in the U.S. there were many wonderful birds to choose from to take along. The main problem is it is the start of the breeding season and they didn’t want to disturb any birds already laying so they

decided to take only a male to New York. His name was Tex, one of their P.R. birds, a beautiful docile bird.

Lewis and Cheryl Flora, owners of Emu World, left on Dec. 8 with Tex and arrived in Oklahoma that night, and stayed at the Stickler Ranch.

They finally arrived at the Mayflower Hotel right next to Central Park where the trailer had its reserved parking place and was watched 24 hours a day by the doorman. They were welcomed with open arms, animals, and all.

This is one of the only hotels that love the animals to come and stay. The doorman and bellhops helped unload animals, luggage, the raw meat to feed the cats, even the snake and insects.

The next morning was the “Good Morning America” show (live). They had to be at the ABC studio by 5 a.m. for a short rehearsal. Rehearsal was

great, but they just pretended to have the birds on the set.

“Anything is possible when you are dealing with animals.”

At 3 p.m. they headed to the NBC studio, that was a real trick down a corkscrew underground garage drive with that truck and trailer. The Letterman show had to lay ¼ of a mile of rubber mating to get the emu to the sixth floor of the NBC studio. It was work, but well worth it.

Everything went smooth as glass (of course it was taped).

Doug had his baby ostrich in and all the other zoo animals were in that night with great success. Jack even got Dave to touch a snack, barely, but he touched it.

After the 11-day trip, they finally arrived home in La Grange, Tex, none the worse for wear, was unloading him into his breeding pin where his mate Okie seemed to be thrilled he was home.

La Grange Will Be Site of Texas Czech Heritage, Cultural Center — Sept. 27, 1996 —

La Grange and Fayette County will be the site for the proposed Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center, a multi-million dollar facility preserving the history of Texas Czechs, according to an announcement by the Texans of Czech Ancestry (TOCA) and the interim Board of the Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center.

TOCA members represent nine chartered, incorporated

Czech organizations from throughout the state. The committee heard presentations from four communities vying for the center in mid-August in La Grange at the KJT State Headquarters.

“Fayette County and the City of La Grange are most eager to continue the tradition of Czech heritage begun some 150 years ago when our forefathers brought their families to this beautiful valley to begin living in America,”

said Fayette County Judge Ed Janecka, who led the Fayette County delegation bid process.

They choose this because of its similarities of the land they left behind and because of the beauty, resources and availability of land.”

The City of La Grange is offering a large tract of land adjacent to the county fairgrounds adjacent to the center.

The site is overlooking the Colorado River valley with an expansive view.

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The Fayette County Record, Tuesday, November 2, 2021

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2008

THE FAYETTE COUNTY La Grange, Texas 78945

Volume 86, Number 32

La Grange OKs High School Soccer Program

INSIDE

By LARRY JACKSON

The Fayette County Record

The Grateful Geezers will headline the Texas Women’s League Spring Charity Gala on March 1 at Pavilion.

See Page B1

All La Grange now needs to field a high school soccer team is enough players.

It will be the first new competitive sport since softball.

Monday night school trustees gave the green light to interscholastic soccer for 200809, provided enough parents and students commit to participation.

A number of parents were on hand to celebrate.

A delegation led by Kelley Oliphint urged the school board at its December meeting to add soccer to the list of high school athletic programs.

This week, the board unanimously agreed to start the program, provided several conditions are met.

“If we’re going to do this, we need to do it right,” Dr. Randy Albers, the superintendent, told the board.

That includes having experienced coaches and sufficient

players to field a competitive team.

An earlier survey of student interest yielded a somewhat disappointing response.

A new survey will now be made, asking parents as well as students to sign forms about their interest in playing.

The board set 20 participants as their desired minimum for a team. And they approved a proposed budget that would fund both a boys team and a girls team.

“I think we will have more than that,” Coach Wayne Walker said.

Albers also stipulated that coaches must have prior experience either playing soccer or coaching it.

“We need a coach who knows what they’re doing, so the program won’t die,” Albers cautioned. “It’s going to be a challenge to come in here and start a 3A program.”

Current coaches should not Please turn to back page

RECORD Seventy-Five Cents

How High’s the Water, Mama?

2000ss 2000

FOR THE

RECORD Business Expo

The 12th Annual Fayette County Business Expo will be held Tuesday, Feb. 26, at the La Grange KC Hall from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. Businesses and organizations will showcase what they have to offer customers. Local restaurants will provide samples, KBUK Radio broadcast live from the KC Hall, and door prizes will be awarded throughout the afternoon and evening.

Businesses wishing — Dec. still 29, 2000 — to participate can contact the Like a championship team La Grange Area Chamber of the La Grange Leopards (14-2), Commerce by calling 968trailing 17-14 with 5:45 left in 5756. the game, drove 94 yards in 11 plays to take a 20-17 lead in the German Society ClassThe 3A state championship Fayette County inChapter front of of 11,479 the fans Texasat Texas GerStadium in Irving Friday. man Society will meet TuesButFeb. it looked day, 26 at 7like p.m.theat 2:35 tge left was going to be too much Randolph Recreation Center. time for theand come-from-behind Members guests are invictory the Forney Jackrabvited. by Refreshments will be bits (11-5). With a 43-yard long served. pass Forney was in field goal Muldoon VFD16. On range at the Leopard The Muldoon Volunteer the next play, Forney offered Fire Department will hosta its up their only fumble after big annual picnic andand fund-raishit

by Justin Jasek Seth Aner Saturday, derle.

Anderle,March al- 8 at the Muldoon Community Park at 11 a.m. and a picnic style barbecue meal will be served at noon. Activities include a moonwalk for the kids, cake spin, silent auction, live auction, 50\50 drawing every hour, horseshoes and domino tables.

There’s more For the Record on Page A2

Leps Win State Football Title At Cowboys’ Texas Stadium

A truck reportedly stolen in Schulenburg Wednesday plunged into Buckner Creek just beneath the bridge on Country Club Drive. Motorists called authorities when they spotted the half-submerged vehicle about 1:30 p.m. Rescuers quickly discovered no one was in the truck, which was registered to a Schulenburg business. A set of tracks leading up the muddy embankment indicated the culprit had abandoned the pickup and scampered for higher ground.

Spring Break Short Next Year

Don’t count on a big spring break next year.

La Grange schools will get only three days off in March 2009 under the calen-

dar adopted for the 2008-09 school year.

It’s not that trustees really wanted it that way. Instead it’s because of when Christmas

falls, when the state allows school to start and a strong push from the faculty to end the year without going into Please turn to back page

Motorcyclist Killed In Hwy. 71 Accident

ready on the ground, pounced on it to preserve the Leopard’s first state championship since 1975.

“The kids have been coming up with big plays all year and they came up with a turnover at the end that won it for us,” Leopards Coach Tony Valastro said.

“Offensively we didn’t win the game. We didn’t win on defense. It was a total team effort. Nothing I can say or do can describe how I feel.

“This is a team with a great heart,” Valastro said.

The accident happened at 11:25 a.m. on Hwy. 71 West, A Bastrop man was fa- half a mile west of Old Lake tally injured in a motorcycle Road near Kirtley and the accident near Kirtley Sunday Fayette County line. morning after a weekend of They were both taken to family activities.

Brackenridge Hospital. Day’s Roger Anderson, 47, died injuries also were reportedly at 9:30 p.m. at Brackenridge extensive.

Hospital as a result of injuing, was a nephew of ildAnderson to the Lester Hotel BuJeff Damage ries.

Kelly of La Grange. n said Anderson and a -4 MillioKelly $3 imatedtoat DPS reports, Cozy EstAccording Anderson and his companion, number of other family memLoretta Day, 43, both of Bas- bers were traveling together Leps Ce lebrate V trop were traveling on Hwy. on the highway when the acictory 71 when he went into the cident occurred. median, lost control and both DPS Trooper Ray Brad“It were ejected from the motor- shaw of Elgin investigated the is a team withcycle. accident.

Cathy Carter and Janice Moerbe show theathletes, renovation out aplans lot of for great but of a La Grange’s historic Casino Hall, which will become a community center for the city. team that plays great together.” ... The Leps first score came with 4:35 left in the first half Civicapartments, Center on office Sat— March 10, 2000 — By H.H. HOWZE the upstairs caused by a fire burning in a Flatonia when La Grange quarterback The Fayette County Record urday, Feb. 23 from 8 a.m.-3 grease trap located on top of the of Richard Cernosek, Chrisbuildings, too, asays Mayor

By LARRY JACKSON Tye Gunn capped 14-play, 80- gathering place, it has since nearlystation, a half roofStuff.

The Fayette County Record tian Book Store, Andy’s Barber of the restaurant building. p.m. beenA fire city burned hall, fire Janetdrive Moerbe. yard from a yard out.

Who doesn’t have too The Cozy money raisedand willCozy go city block of historic downtown The frugal but cultured GerShop, Theater La Grange city crews responded temporary library, senior citiWith help from city historiKevin Kalina blasted up the much of it? toward two new projects – La Grange on Wednesday aftermans who built La Grange’s middle Video because involved in the quickly and shut down the eleczens center and more. an Cathy Carter and city manfor 61 yards to score on The Flatonia Landmark one in town and another in the noon. first permanent school build- the flames. tricity and Reliant Energy Enter Now a citizens committee agerLeps Shawn Raborn, Moerbe next possession.

Society wants the to nearby of Praha. ing would probably be proud is spreading The by LaBill Grange Thecommunity 117-year-old beautiGas Company shut down Rogersvolunteer is help- Preservation word about headed Forney thenthe scored 17 unanhelp folks thin it out – or get coming off a reto see what’s going to become swered fire shape department answered the gas lines. fulFLPS LesterisHotel Building that the old building’s plans for renovating Ca- ing points before Lathe Grange – orgrew both.in intensity cent victory – an agreement of it. fire call Innasrestaurant housed Botts, Cernosek, the Asmore the fire use.toItChina is seen a com- some sino Hall, La that Grange’s re-took theone leadof on final next FLPS, as with theshop city and of Flatonia aimed Recycling isn’t just about drive. located midway the 100 block center,insmaller and oldestGunn and carried most the significant barber book store, was smoke couldknown be seenlocally miles from ball on munity is sponsoring a com- atbuilt preserving garbage in La Grange. It’s eight of West Colorado. formal than the Knights “flips,” structures. in 1883.the town’s iconic La Grange. of the 11 plays for 71 of more munity garage sale at the Please turn to back page about preserving and reusing Smoke poured out of the Originally a German social Please turn to back page The Cozy Theater building The fire spread quickly from the 94 yards on that final drive. alastro This Week’s Forecast Coach Tony V front of the restaurant and in was constructed between 1885 China Inn to the Bott’s Title “It’s unbelievable. There are opardLow LeHigh Division 11 A 3 the rear of the restaurant.

It was s and 1890.

Company building where all s la no words for it,” Gunn said. “I eC Friday: holds 65up th46 mpionship Trophy knew this was our year.”

Partly cloudy a h C

By AILEEN LOEHR

The Fayette County Record

Fire Destroys Historic Buildings Downtown Flatonia Garage Sale Tomorrow ‘Recycle’ Means Buildings, Too

WEATHER WATCH

Saturday: Partly cloudy Sunday: Partly cloudy Monday: Partly cloudy

te Sta 71

Administrators Get High Marks

50

told us they want someone tors.

Best Little Y2K Party “Texas” Happen whose Not main focus is curricuThis isIn Albers’ second year Did All La Grange administra- as superintendent, coming in lum,” Lincke said.

By LARRY JACKSON

71

54

The Fayette County Record

73

49

2000 — tors got—aJan. vote4, of confidence Monday night from the school What was supposed to be board.

After a closed session the “Best Littlepersonnel, Y2K Partythe in to evaluate Texas”voted schedule to happen in board to extend the conFayette County did not take tracts of all administrators by place. an additional year.

Twohave youngfabulous men from Aus“We people tin our had administrative made arrangements in posiwith thesaidlandowner of the tions,” board president Gale Lincke.

“They are good people that are committed to the students and to this community. And our academic success shows it.”

Dr. Randy Albers got his review and contract extension at last month’s meeting. This time, it was for principals, assistant principals, athletic director and other administra-

City Receives $211,000 Grant to Renovate Randolph School Into Recreation Area Burn Ban Lifted — Jan. 25, 2000 —

INSIDE The City ofTODAY La Grange has been approved to receive Opinion .......................

Page A4 $211,000 to renovate the existSociety ........................ Page A6 ing Randolph School GymnasiSports ......................... Page A8

um and adjacent classrooms into a recreation center according to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission.

The City of La Grange has proposed development at the old

Randolph School that includes a basketball court, walking track, weight/excercise room, aerobics/dance room, game room, stage, computer room, meeting room, and storage room.

Weekend ..................... Page B1 Classifieds ...............Page B2-5 Obituaries ................... Page B6

This newspaper is recyclable. Do your part to protect our future.

Copyright 2008, The Fayette County Record, Inc.

Caitlyn Schomburg of La Grange is not just a local or state winner, but a national winner. She and her school, Hermes Elementary, were notified that she placed first in Division I of the National School Bus Safety Poster Contest, worth a $500 U.S. Savings Bond. She also was presented a certificate by school board president Gale Lincke at Monday night’s board meeting. Caitlyn is the daughter of Chuck and Tara Schomburg.

“Chicken after ErwinRanch” Sladek’sproperty, long ten-to rent the place and have a New ure in the position.

Year’s Eve party on bring Dec. 31.

“Anytime you in To a get tosuperintendent, the rented property new there the is men hadabout to cuthow downthey a private concern will fence.

After cut feel about thethe restfence of thewas staff. the men trespassed to get to the Sometimes they kind of bring actual where the party was in theirsite own people,” Lincke to be held. Law enforcement said. informed the that partyDr.goers that “I think Albers very quickly realized the quality of the people we have here, and I think that a mutual feeling of respect is evident.”

Albers recommended the contract extensions for the administrators.

He also recommended, and got board approval for, hiring a full-time curriculum coordinator starting next school year.

“Teachers for years have

they wouldalignment be chargedofwith Careful cur- a crime if they trespassed to get riculum from one grade to the to the party and the event was next generally results in more cancelled.teaching and learneffective for theinparty were ing, Tickets particularly student $100 each and the event was performance on tests. billed to include wed“I think this isaaheated very good ding style tent, and open bar, step,” Lincke said. buffet, mugs, night’s hot tubs Alsosouvenir at Monday and a hotel meeting, theshuttle. board heard in closed session a disciplinary appeal from parents but took no action. This left the decision of the administration in place.

Dr. Bill Pratt also addressed the board about underage drinking and drug use.

There is a very real need “to support change in the Please turn to back page

The Fayette County Record, Tuesday, November 2, 2021

B11

Tuesday, OcTOber 2, 2012

THE FAYETTE YETTE COUNTY La Grange, Texas 78945

Volume 90, Number 96

Soot Hot Issue at Coal Plant

INSIDE

La Grange Native is Talk of Sports World After No-Hitter; Had Hometown Fans/Family On Edge of Their Seats

The Fayette County Record

The Leps and their fans watched La Grange dominate in a storm at canyon Lake.

See Sports, Page B1

For The record Muldoon VFD

The Muldoon Volunteer Fire department will meet Thursday, Oct. 4 at 7 p.m. at the Muldoon fire station located at 333 N 3rd st. (across the railroad tracks from the old Muldoon post office). all residents, landowners, and interested parties are invited to attend. If you have any questions, please contact sandy courrier at (713) 851-6208.

A controversy is brewing between the Lower Colorado River Authority and the Environmental Integrity Project over what the Austin-based group calls “excessive soot emissions” at the Fayette Power Project.

The EIP has given the LCRA notice of intent to sue over the emissions.

LCRA compliance records for FPP in 2011 show that last year the plant exceeded permitted limits on soot for the equivalent of a week.

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, however, does not consider the 2011 episodes to be “excessive.”

Soot consists of extremely fine particles of carbon, which when inhaled, go deep into lung tissue. According to a 2007 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, breathing soot is associated with coronary heart disease, asthma and decreased respiratory function.

The soot emissions occurred

Song Workshop

By JEFF WICK

The Fayette County Record

F

riday night cincinnati reds pitcher Homer bailey etched his place into baseball immortality by throwing a no-hitter. but while that historic game was going on in Pittsburgh, a whole different drama was playing itself out 1,400 miles away.

In front of television sets all across bailey’s ailey’s hometown of La Grange, his family, friends, and biggest fans were hanging on every pitch he threw. att high school football games all a around the area, people passed around cell phones with updates of bailey’s progress as he got into the later stages of the epic performance. “you you y ou so badly want the best for him,” said bailey’s ailey’s high school baseball manman ager, r ralph alph Ferguson, who won a pair of high school state titles with Homer as his ace pitcher. “My stomach was turning in knots as I watched the game on T.V. I was thinking, if I was feeling like that, I don’t know how david and Karen

Last Hurrah at Schulze Store?

Piano RECORD HE FAYETTE COUNTY T Bridge Reopens Wildlife Co-op

cross the bridge during the cermore emony was a busloadThere’s of school For the Record children. on Page A2 & A7

People Weren’t the Only Ones Needing Help

pair of cattle rescues as waters rise.

Section B

For The record St. John’s Feast

St. John’s Catholic Church in fayetteville will still be hosting their annual Labor day feast this Sunday, Sept. 3. the parish will not be making any changes, except 50% of the net proceeds from the feast will be donated towards the victims of Hurricane Harvey.

St. Mary Picnic

St. mary Catholic Church in High Hill has cancelled their picnic for this Sunday. No date has been set for rescheduling.

Warda Picnic

the Holy Cross Church picnic in Warda scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 3, has been cancelled.

Watch the paper for information on when it may be rescheduled.

JunkWEATHER Gypsy WATCH This Week’s Forecast High Low Tuesday: 82 57 Fayette ClearCounty’s famous Junk Wednesday: Gypsies, sisters Amie 88 and68 Clear Jolie Sikes, premiered their seThursday: ries on cable television 88 station66 Partly Cloudy HGTV in May of that year. They Friday: 82 64 held a Partly sneakCloudy preview view-

ing party at Zapp Hall in April, which ended up being one of Burn Ban Is Lifted the premier social events of that year.

One Dollar per Copy

Volume 95, Number 87

INSIDE

The North central Fayette county Wildlife co-op will hold its annual meeting Oct. 13, 2012, at cooper Farm starting at 4 p.m.

Fayette County reopened The keynote speaker will be dr. the historic Piano Bridge near don steinbach who will address Dubina in February 2013 folpond also on the lowing an management. extensive restoration agenda will be Greg Pleasant, project. Artisan metalworkers wildlife biologist, calvin Harreplaced all of the rivets in the baugh, Game Warden, and scott old wrought iron bridge and new Willey, county ext. agent. 4-H wooden planks were laid acrosstheir members will be discussing the roadway.

Engineers who the summer canoe trip down oversaw the restoration made colorado river. Live auction, sure that theraffle, refurbished bridge bucket and rifle card rafwouldflesupport school bus full will beaheld. a meal will be of children.

Themembers County held a served and may bring grandare-opening ceremony that dessert. annual dues of $20 month, the first at vehicle to willand be collected the meeting.

Stardom

friday, September 1, 2017

La Grange, Texas 78945

This girl waded out onto a sandbar to get a closer look at the

damage in the still-flooded Country Way Village neighborhood

of La Grange Tuesday morning.

Photo by Jeff Wick

WATER RECEDES, RECOVERY BEGINS

AMEN FUTUR ED,family relax The Merry Christmas store rides again. Members of PROCE the Schulze on theEporch of the forFAIR TO REDS HUND D INTO TY TURNE FACILI mer M.E. Schulze Grocery and Feed in Round Top Thursday.

The store, which opened in 1950, closed FUNDS RAISE WILL IN LESS HOME Holiday after Merton County R N CENTE recently Schulze’s death. According to daughter-in-law Schulze, family members BUTIO DISTRI S Elsie fayette County offices will VICTIM FLOOD FOR GE GRAN LA in sell just the store’s fixtures and remaining inventory, but ended up bringing items from monday, Sept. 4to be closed intended observance of the Labor day holiday. home to sell as well. “I’ve turned it into what I said I didn’t want it to become, an ‘antiques venue,’ ” Hermann Staff photo by H.H. Howze ElsieSons laughed. the rutersville Hermann Sons Life No. 152 will have their monthly meeting on Wednesday, Sept 6. the meal will be pot luck and members are asked to being a main dish and side or a dessert

See Bailey, Page B4

‘Devastation You Beer on the Road, Can’t Even Imagine’ Chicken in the Ditch — Sept. 1, 2017 —

flood insurance, something resiThe only were a 10 wereinjuries required to tohave morning people dents The Fayette County Record couple of beer cans that did not stood at the water’s edge and years ago when they moved in. thedon’t fall and burst. september has drawn a survive“I know if that was resaw the full power of the to river. a lot more than that was close Tuesday and left in morning its wake beer in said. “I gave a quired anymore,” Butler scattered when an M-G truck the road, frozen chicken in the pray everyone had insurance.” glimpse of the impact. traveling from Weimar to La ditch Swelled and hogsby in rains the cemetery.

Jorge Rebollar was also at from TropiHere’s a collection of inter- Grange ran off the road after the water’sdriver edgeruben Tuesday, cal Storm Harvey, the Colorado austin-based Wil-viewesting recent developments: ing the destruction of his old River crested at 54.22 feet at 2 In seperate incidents over the iams Jr. fell asleep at the wheel neighborhood from afar. p.m.

Monday in La Grange, the last few days, a delivery truck and flipped the truck around a used to sept. be able third highest markmost in recorded a.m.

17 to see our flipped and dumped of its curve at“I4:38 house from here to the right,” he history, and highest since 1913. state Trooper Greg Trojacek load of frozen and cold chickAs the Tuesday about 75-percent of the ens parts alongsun FMrose 155 and a saidsaid. goodoffootball and socwhat those really meant 13,000 A pounds chicken parts different truckfigures dumped several player forwere the scattered Leps varsity, was offurniture from thatcer in the truck cases beer at thehanging intersection Rebollar from La the 159 smell natural ditch andgraduated pasture adjacent oftrees, Highway andofeast Travisgas in the roadway in School Mullinsthis PraiGrange High spring into the air, a dead dog to the inleaking La Grange. stuck in a fence. according to La Grange rie. and was working locally and still No opportunistic neigborpoliceAofficer on staying with his grandparents, steadyJoseph streamGates, of former dogs and were able tointake sept.

20 the of bayCountry door on aWay bud-Vil- hood cousins a brother Country residents of the spill, Trojacek weiser failed to lock afternew advantage Way Village. lage truck walked down to the ron’s Wrecker a water delivery the truck “We just grabbed a few lineand– when as close as they said, before service cleaned up the fowl Regot onto the highway the door things when we evacuated,” could get to their old neighborultimately taken tocame opened bollarwas said.

“The police hood. spilling mutiple cases of – which austin for disposal.

The driver the beer in the road. and told us to leave because Then they stood in silence. was taken to st. Mark’s Hospital “I’d say there was about 70 It was a neighborhood so full river was going to get high, but

by Medic-1 but did not have secans,” Gates said. of families that two La Grange I never thought it could get this Traffic was halted and Gates, rious injuries, Trojacek said. busses made pick-ups and drops high.” and finally, last Monday the along with two of the bud emThe Rebollars were able to off herewere everyable school day. the ployees, to clear evacuate their back aunt’spage place in Now multiple mobile homes SeetoHogs, roadway. were in a jumble, still in several La Grange – nine people now feet of water, blocking Lower jammed in a two bedroom apartment.

Line Street.

By Wednesday afternoon, as Cassandra Butler looked out at the scene, not quite being able city crews were able to inspect to see the house where she, her the areas for safety, residents behusband and six children had gan to be able to return to what was left of their homes. lived until Sunday.

“The devastation down “We got the word to evacuate Sunday. Thank God we were there, you can’t even imagine,” notified,” Butler said. “I wasn’t said La Grange Utility Director worried about the trailer, just Frank Menefee.

Butler was in no hurry to go getting the kids out. We didn’t even take their shoes. We went back. She was thankful Tuesday to my sister’s house. Later on that the flood water was still hidwe went back and grabbed the ing some things.

“I don’t think I’m ready,” she shoes and some clothes.”

Butler said they did have said, “to see what’s in there.”

By JEFF WICK Monday

City Hopes to Get Lucky With Casino Hall Proposal There’s more For the Record on Page A2

By JEFF WICK

Then

WEATH The FayetteER County Record WATCH The city of La Grange is go-

Now

ing to again roll the dice on getting state funding to renovate the old casino Hall. Neighborhoods Gone Fair a Go; No Parade, Carnival You Can Help How

By ANDY BEHLEN

By JEFF WICK WICK The massive 131-year-old

By JEFF INSIDE TODAY in the aftermath of the flooding, lots of locals were With just a few tweaks, the 2017 fayette County people stood at the water’s building at the corner of Franmonday morning looking for ways to help their neighbors. Here’s some fair will go on this weekend with the profits benefitting edge and saw the full power of the river.

Is Lifted Burn Ban of the imways you can help: victims. flood glimpse a local gave klin and LaFayette streets was morning tuesday Religion....................... Page A4 the City of La Grange is organizing a volunteer there will be no carnival. fair president Lee fritsch pact.

Storm Harcleanup effort. La Grange main Street manager Stacey said carnival organizers did not feel they could make it from tropical poised to be transformed into a at 54.22 Swelled by rains Society........................ Page A5 feet at Norris is coordinating the effort. there will also be no fair parade Saturday. safely. crested here river Colorado the vey, INSIDE TODAY “We’re taking names and contact information right Obituaries................... Page A7 if you purchased a fun pass for carnival rides, you Grange, the third highmonday in La visitor/community back 2 p,m.center now, but we’re not ready to set up a staging area yet,” can return your ticket for a cash refund or you can doest mark in recorded history, and highest since Classifieds...............Page A8-9 Norris said on Wednesday. “We’re projecting to have evenate that portion of your ticket to the flood victims by in 2009 when city1913.officials were rything set up and ready to begin by the end of the week.” notifying fair officials. as the sun rose tuesday what those figures Sports ......................Page B1-4 people can call (979) 968-3017 to place their name on hanging from trees, the senior appreciation event will be held at the elwas furniture really meantthey disappointed to learn had the list of volunteers. linger Chamber of Commerce Hall beginning thursday, the smell of natural gas leaking into the air, a at thursday ceremonies opening the “Our needs in La Grange are changing rapidly,” Nora.m.

11 at 31 aug. stuck in a fence. a dog received not been selecteddeadto ris said. “the main need right now is water, and we really 7 p.m., followed by the Queens Contest, will be held on a steady stream of former residents of friday, fairgrounds. the at Stage new people to conserve water. it’s the little things peothe to need rosenberg down marge the walked Village Way newsThis Country Texas department of Trasportaple aren’t thinking about right now, like shutting off their Saturday, and Sunday concerts will go on as planned water line – as close as they could get to their paper is reThis newssprinklers. We really need people to think about those litwith the stage set up at the front, on asphalt, where the neighborhood. old Do cyclable. tion grant to fund the project. tle things to help us conserve.” carnival usually is. then they stood in silence. your part to paper is reNorris said gift cards are a great way to help flood “that will keep concert-goers out of the mud,” so full of families that a neighborhoodLa In early June the Flatonia “We’re tryingtwoitLawas again,” protect our victims right now. Gift cards can be dropped off at the La fritsch said.

Grange busses made pick-ups and drops future. may be limcyclable.

Do fairgrounds the at Visitors Center in Casino Hall. the La Grange parking Grange said fritsch day. school every here off Lady Bulldogs won the state Grange city Manager shawn ministerial alliance has set up a disaster relief fund at ited “though things were drying out fast.”

Now multiple mobile homes were in a jumprosperity bank. the name of the fund is Good Shepherd Shuttle busses will run from downtown and the high water, blocking Lower in several feet of ble, stillcouncil raborn told the city last softball tournament. your It waspart Fla-to fund – disaster relief for fayette County. donations school football field.

Line Street. scene, not can be made at www.lgrelief.com. donations can also be the heifer show has been moved to the following protect our Cassandra Monday. “I’m going to butler dolooked myout at theThe La Grange Casino Hall as it looked in the late 1800s when it tonia’s second state title in softmailed to the bank at 202 W. Colorado St, La Grange, tX Saturday but the other exhibits, and shows will go on as quite being able to see the house where she, her fair. annual Sunday.

90th the until for lived had planned See How to Help, back page children six and husband served as a school and ballroom. best to work on this.” ball, and the secondfuture. for coach See Devastation, back page TXdOT has issued a new Rodney Stryk,Copyright who won2012, his first long history of the structure. call for project proposals and for the project.

TheFlatonia Fayette County Record, title for in 2003.

TheInc. It was built in 1881 by the “We would just have to find city officials are going to again tournament MVP was Flatonia’s La Grange casino society at another source of outside doltry to convince the state to fund Taylor Williams. a whopping cost of just under lars,” raborn said. the project – which would cost A week later, the Fayetteville If and when the building $13,000. about $3—million, 2018 —raborn said.

Lions won the state baseball It was initially built to be a If theJudge state again nixes the ever becomes a visitor center, it County Ed Janecka tournament with a 10-0 win over theater and ballroom, by would be the latest chapter in a proposal, it wouldn’t spell doom — 2019 — enforcement.

Just a fewbutweeks announced in April that he

Back to Back State Titles In A Week

(Homer’s parents) do it.”

How did Homer’s parents make it through?

With a lot of silence.

There’s an old baseball superstition that says you shouldn’t talk about a nohitter while its in progress for fear of jinxing it. david and Karen bailey were firm believers in that superstition as they watched the game together at their farm outside La Grange.

“We never mentioned a word about the no-hitter until after that final out,” david bailey said. “Then after it was over we cried, and I ain’t afraid to admit it.

“I sent Homer a text that said: ‘Glad you weren’t here or you would have seen an old man cry.’ ” david and Karen couldn’t cry for long, however. ““ass soon as that last out was made “a our home phone and our cell phones went nuts (with people calling in congratulations),” david said.

2010ss 2010

See Soot, back page

The soldier songs and Voic— 2013 — es Workshop is held bi-monthly sunday afternoons at 2 p.m. at The bugle boy Performance Hall located at 1051 N. Jefferson st. (Hwy 77) in La Grange.

The schedule for the remainder of 2012 is Oct. 14 and 28, Nov. 4 and 18, and dec. 2.

Seventy-Five Cents

Homer’s Epic

By H.H. HOWZE

Rainy Night

RECORD

This Week’s Forecast High 93 Friday: Clear 92 Saturday: Clear 90 Sunday: Partly cloudy 86 Monday: 30% chance of rain

Low 69 70

from the Colorado This drone photo shows several city blocks covered by floodwater just a few feet from River. Second Chance Emporium is to the lower right, with water Photo by Bruce Spindler the roofline.

851 S. Reynolds St. in Donations of bottled water pile up at the distribution center on Photo by Jeff Wick La Grange as locals work to organize them.

71

72

The Fayette County Record

The Fayette County Record

The Fayette County Record

Obituaries ................... Page A5 Flood Coverage ......Page B1-4 Weekend ..................... Page C1 Classifieds ...............Page C2-4 Opinion ....................... Page D1 Crossword .................. Page D2

Copyright 2017, The Fayette County Record, Inc.

Janecka Retires

Stamford. Fayetteville dominated the game, winning with the mercy rule after six innings. It was Fayetteville’s second state title and first under head coach Clint Jaeger. Logan Stoelke was named MVP.

would not seek re-election. Janecka retired the following December after 28 years in office, making him the longest serving county judge in Fayette County history.

Lobos Leaves In April 2013, the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office acquired the famous drug-sniffing dog Lobos, who retired last year after an illustrious career in law

after he began patroling with his handler Randy Thumann, the pair made what was then the biggest marijuana bust in county history – 1,600 lbs. from a vehicle on Interstate 10.

The La Grange Casino Hall as it looks today, with boarded up windows, awaiting a rebirth.

1884 was being used as a school and was the site of La Grange High school until 1923. after that it housed La Grange city offices until 1965 when the current city hall adjacent to the casino Hall was

built.

The building was also home to the La Grange volunteer fire department from 1925 until 1992 and was a senior citizens center thereafter, but has been vacant for years.

Local legendary K9 office r Lobos was diagnosed with canc er in 2020.

B12

The Fayette County Record, Tuesday, November 2, 2021

The Tuesday, Nov. 2 issue of The Fayette County Record will mark the beginning of our 100th year of continuous publication.

Come help us celebrate that afternoon with lots of fun from 1-5 p.m. Nov. 2 at our newspaper office at 127 S. Washington in downtown La Grange.

• We’ll have free snacks and drinks; help yourself to one of 100 local kolaches.

• Gary Dusek from KVLG will be doing live radio updates from the newspaper that afternoon.

• Elaine Thomas will be on site to sign copies of her new book, “Stories I’ve Been Told: Volume 1; 25 portraits of rural Texans.”

• Author Audrey Wick will be at the office signing copies of her books, which are part of an extensive selection of local-interest titles which are on sale.

• Bring your business card to drop in a bucket for a drawing for special prizes.

• We’ll have our bound archive books of old newspapers spread around the office so you can flip through the pages of local history.

• Get your Christmas shopping done early for family and friends that used to live here. We’ll be offering year-long gift subscriptions to our e-edition of The Record for just $19.22 (the year we started publishing) to new subscribers.

We’ll even have people on site to help you set up those e-editions, for anyone not so computer savvy.

We’re also conducting a special contest to see who can bring in the oldest copy of The Record. If you have saved a copy of The Fayette County Record that’s at least 25 years or older, bring it by between now and the end of the day Nov. 2. We’ll take a picture of you with your special copy of the newspaper (to run in a future edition) and the person that brings in the oldest copy of the paper will get a free year-long extension to their subscription.

127 S. Washington

La Grange, TX 78945

(979) 968-3155

The Fayette County Record, Tuesday, November 2, 2021

The Staying Power of Print

B13

We asked our Readers to Bring by Historic Copies of the Record and we were Wowed by Some of These Treasures The oldest entry gets a free year extension to their subscription. Right now John D. Marburger is in the lead with his 1934 edition, but you have until 5 p.m. Tuesday Nov. 2 to try to beat him.

LeRoy Canik of Fayetteville brought in these copies of The Fayette County Record from 1961 and 1972 that he found when he bought the old John Shimek property in 1991.

John D. Marburger of La Grange brought in several copies of old Fayette County Records, including one that featured him on the front as part of the Top 10 percent of the graduating class of La Grange High school in 1960. But the oldest of his copies was an amazingly well preserved edition from July 31. 1934. He said his parents had kept the old copies of the Record in boxes.

Oralee (Rohde) Levien of Carmine brought in this copy of the July 11, 1967 Fayette County Record. She thinks she held onto it all these years because the front page of that issue included a big story about Lady Bird Johnson’s visit to La Grange back then.

These ladies brought in some really interesting editions. Sheri Nolen, left, brought in a Record from June 10, 1960. Anissa Menefee, center, showed off the 50th anniversary edition of the old La Grange Journal, from June 5, 1941. Myra Simmons, right, is holding a May 20, 1960 copy of the Record that touts upcoming Dairy Day activities in the county and the 1960 LHS senior favorites.

Doris Lidiak of La Grange brought in this entire section of The Fayette County Record’s Century of Progress edition, which was published August 19,1938. The edition was made to comemmorate the 100th birthday of Fayette County that year and was billed as “The largest single edition ever published in Fayette County.”

Elaine Koehl of La Grange brought in this Oct. 14, 1988 edition of The Record.

Sherri Staha of High Hill brought in this copy of the Sept. 22, 1953 Record she found in her old in-laws’ suitcase.

Susan Wind from La Grange brought by this copy of the Tuesday, August 22, 2000 Record which bragged about the library’s new fast internet access.

Violet Krenek from Fayetteville brought by this copy from 1993 that looks like it was just bought yesterday.

Old advertisements from Records in the 1930s.

B14

The Fayette County Record, Tuesday, November 2, 2021

Excited to Start our 100th Year!

Thanks for Reading The Fayette County Record!

– From the newspaper staff Regina Keilers Publisher/Owner

Jeff Wick Editor

Andy Behlen Digital Editor

FCR employee since: 1976 when her family moved to town and bought the newspaper (she rolled quarters and delivered funeral notices the first summer).

Fun facts: She makes her own soap and is current president of La Grange Rotary Club.

Fun fact: Most memorable interviews include Yogi Berra, Hayden Fry, Craig Biggio, Nick Saban.

Fun fact: Studied meatcutting at Texas A&M and Philosophy at St. Edward’s.

Becky Weise

John Castaneda

Jackie Daniels

Marketing & Media Director

FCR employee since: 2010

FCR employee since: 2009

Production Manager

FCR employee since: 2006

FCR employee since: 2015

Classifieds Manager

FCR employee since: 2006

Quotable: “As advertising director my job is to make you money.”

Fun fact: Has won so many statewide advertising design awards that they are considering naming the category after him.

Fun fact: Current Chairman of the La Grange Housing Authority, and board member of Tejas Health Care.

Theresia Karstedt

Amanda Gifford

LouAnn Adcox

Circulation Mgr./Bookkeeper

FCR employee since: 2006 Fun fact: Probably has every one of The Record’s 4,000+ mail subscribers memorized.

Bobby Bedient Circulation

Customer Relations

FCR employee since: 2021 (formerly worked here from 2002-2006) Fun fact: Hosts weekly trivia nights at local bars and breweries.

Leigh Ann Bedient Circulation

Staff Writer

FCR employee since: 2012 Fun fact: Local media expert. Besides The Record, she also previously worked at KVLG and That Little Paper.

Nicol Krenek Circulation

FCR employee since: 2013

FCR employee since: 2014

Quotable: “I started my life as a paperboy and I guess I’ll end it that way.”

Fun fact: Both she and her husband used to live in Connecticut, but met after both moved to Texas.

Quotable: “Nicol is very generous with her compliments,” a co-worker stated.

Jesse Montez

George Kana

JoAnn Mueller

Circulation

Circulation

FCR employee since: 2019

Circulation

FCR employee since: 2018

FCR employee since: 2008

FCR employee since: 2000

Fun fact: He’s a really good pool player and modest. “Just say I’m a ‘good pool player,’” he said.

Quotable: “I’ve been taught to work and still want to work while I’m able. If you sit around, it gets worse.”

Fun fact: “That I’ve been here this long at my age! I turn 87 on the Nov. 5th.”

Stacy Mehrens

Trey Barton

Nonnie Barton

Stacy is the granddaughter of Nelda and Richard Barton Sr, who purchased the newspaper in 1976, along with Stacy’s parents Richard and Nonnie Barton. She still works in the publishing industry.

Trey is the grandson of Nelda and Richard Barton Sr, who purchased the newspaper in 1976, along with Trey’s parents Richard and Nonnie Barton. He is a lawyer.

Nonnie’s late husband Richard Barton Jr. was the editor and publisher of The Record until his death in 2006.

She is the treasurer of The Gulf Coast Press Association.

Owner

Owner

Owner