Pages past — Feb. 24

On this date …

1965: Law officers from Roswell to Hereford gathered in Clovis for a “Who’s Who in the Underworld” meeting. Officials met to compare notes on crimes and criminals operating around the region. “Photographs of prime offenders were circulated around the luncheon table while various officers took the floor to explain the latest exploits of area lawmen’s adversaries,” the Clovis News-Journal reported.

1973: The first spades of dirt were turned on a barren tract of ground across U.S. 60-84 from Cannon Air Force Base, the Clovis News Journal reported. About 250 military housing units were planned for the site, which was officially dedicated in September 1974. Chavez Manor West is named for U.S. Sen. Dennis Chavez.

1973: The Floyd Bronchos captured the District 6-AA basketball championship with a 56-43 win over Dora. Voyle Jones scored 19 and Forrest Jones added 16 to lead the way for Floyd.

Career ending ...

1960: Jerry Vest, the top point scorer in the history of Eastern New Mexico University basketball, was preparing to wrap up his career. Vest, the team’s captain, was the first Greyhound to score 1,600 career points. This year, he was averaging 22 points per game heading into the season finale at home against the Air Force Academy. Despite his efforts, the Hounds were having one of their worst seasons in history, 4-17 under Coach Al Garten.

Police report ...

1965: A Clovis school was burglarized for the second night in a row. Intruders pried open four vending machines at Sandia Elementary, scattering the contents over the floor. Bella Vista Elementary had been hit the night before, with thieves stealing a movie projector and frozen chicken thighs. Also in crime news, Doc Stewart of Clovis reported the theft of an overcoat and a pair of gloves, valued at $40.

Pages Past is compiled by Clovis News Journal Editor David Stevens. Contact him at:

[email protected]