Lula A. was his wife and 40 years of age. She listed no occupation. Mr. Lipstreu was not a veteran and never served in the military. The family did however have a radio in their home and their home was valued at $2,000. Mrs. Lula Lipstreu was born in Kentucky as were her father and mother.

I recall Mr. Lipstreu serving as the mayor of Aubrey at about this time and was mayor into the early 1940's. The town didn’t have a public water system or a sewer system at this time. They didn’t have a city hall, a public library, nor did they have a city court. The town was protected by the efforts of the county appointed officials to maintain law and order to a certain degree. The town did not have a building code to enforce, even if they had it could not have been enforced. Town fights and local drunks were common on the city streets. Today we don’t realize how much the town government is providing for the better life.

Residents of today’s city can’t comprehend what life was like in this town seventy years ago. Whiskey was even bootlegged on Main Street during the broad daylight hours. Mr. Lipstreu certainly deserves thanks for how well he held law and order in his capacity as Mayor. One of the major accomplishments of Mr. Lipstreu during this time was the installation of the public water system and a water tower to store enough water in case of an emergency. However, the fire department didn’t come around until 1962.

One question comes to my mind is "How did Mr. Lipstreu do such a tremendous job governing our city?"

The City is coming up with a large bond vote soon, and the old timers of the 30's probably would think we are plum out of orbit, (but they didn’t use the term orbit back then). I would like to take just a few lines here to remind ourselves of the accomplishments that have come to our little city that didn’t just happen.

Many different mayors and councils have contributed as they could with the limited finances that have been available. It is important for us to work toward the betterment of our town and utilize this bond money for the further betterment of our town.

We are fortunate, because the Mayor today tells us that a tax increase is not necessary to pay for the bond. The rapid growth and good management will allow us to pass this bond without worry. The growth has provided us with the ability to provide for the public needs.

The opportunity is here, so do let a good effort slip out of our hands. Let’s all buckle up and go to the polls and vote, because we can’t afford not to take advantage – as it is all laid out for us and it looks good.

I have a copy of one of the old bond payments from the 1938 bond issue, which has been paid for and the old water tower that was built with this bond money has already been demolished, but those times were trying just as they are today. So let’s stay on top of things for the betterment of our grandchildren.

Now as I segue back to the Census. Next door to the Lipstreu’s home was the home of John F. Morgan. He was 76 years old and his wife Lizzie was 68 years old. Their home was valued at $900 and they didn’t have a radio. Mr. Morgan, and his parents were born in North Carolina. Mr. Morgan’s wife Lizzie, was 68 years old; her mother was born in Alabama and her father was born in Tennessee. Mr. Morgan’s occupation was listed as a general farmer. May McDonald was the Morgan’s servant; she was 28 years old and had a daughter named Jewel McDonald who was 9 years old. Mr. Morgan was not a veteran. I remember the family very well. Mr. Morgan was the County Commissioner of this precinct and served on the Commissioner’s Court when they voted to build the court house on the square. Mr. Morgan was the tax renderer after he was the county commissioner.

The old home that was documented in the 1930's census was taken down in the 1970's by Donald Hampton and replaced with a brick veneer house.

The photo for this week was taken by Noel from the top of the hardware store building. It is of the buildings across the street, and in the background is the peanut dryer. You can see the water tower that was standing next to the peanut dryer. If you look close, you can see the top of the roof and the west side of one of the oldest homes in Aubrey. It was the home of Tom Powledge and his family. The old home burned to the ground one night in 1972. It was determined that a deliberate fire bug set it on fire. It was just south of the current fire station.

Perhaps if there is someone out there who has a photo of this old house, would let me copy it, we can share with everyone what a beautiful old home went up in a blaze.