Pages past — April 2

On this date …link

1975: Clovis police said the death of a 66-year-old man who fell 25 feet from the Hull Street Overpass was probably an accident. Perfecto Hildago was found near railroad tracks and died at Memorial Hospital about two hours later. A retired railroad worker, Hildago lived about six blocks from where the incident occurred. “There was a 3-foot rail on the overpass, and being an elderly man, he may have rested against the rail and just fell over,” said Police Lt. Harold Russell.

1964: A delegation of private citizens and the president of Clovis Ministerial Alliance thwarted a move by a Clovis businessman to transfer his liquor license from 118 W. Second St. to 600 Commerce Way. City commissioners denied the request after Rev. Stanley Leicher, pastor of Central Christian Church, claimed the proposed move would bring liquor close to churches, schools, a drive-in restaurant frequented by teenagers and a youth recreation center. Kit Pettigrew, owner of the Smokehouse Bar at 118 W. Second, said he wanted to open a package store at 600 Commerce Way, about four blocks from Marshall Junior High School. City Commissioner Ned Houk made the motion to deny the application, which was approved unanimously.

1950: Clovis police “had lots of trouble this weekend,” the Clovis News-Journal reported. “Besides a bumper crop of drunks, they received a complaint that a 1934 maroon Ford coupe ... was stolen from Melvin Floyd, 409 Calhoun ...” Three other attempted car thefts were also reported, along with thefts of articles left in cars, a purse and a box containing medicine, the newspaper reported.

Transitions …

1970: Janie Moberly of Clovis was elected chairman of the Curry County Democratic Party, filling the unexpired term of David Norvell. “Mrs. Moberly is believed to be the first woman ever elected to the chairmanship,” the Clovis News-Journal reported.

1934: Donald W. MacKay was named first president at Eastern New Mexico Normal School. He remained until 1942. Steve Gamble became the ninth president of Eastern New Mexico University in 2001, and remains in the position today.

Pages Past is compiled by Editor David Stevens. Contact him at: [email protected]