Pages Past

April 9

On this date ...

1975: A dust storm early in the week reminded eastern New Mexico it had seen less than 2 inches of moisture in all of 1975, but Mother Nature was quickly forgiven as the skies opened and nearly a half inch of rain fell in 24 hours.

“It will really help the wheat and dryland farmers,” said Curry County assistant extension agent Billy Dictson. “As far as those people preparing to plant, it will slow them down, but the moisture will be of so much benefit that they won’t mind.”

Rain was in the forecast again for the next day.

1945: Tickets were available at Portales Drug for the upcoming “Benefit Variety Show” at the Portales High School Auditorium.

Acts included a “boogie-woogie pianist” and a “famous escape artist.”

Proceeds were to benefit the Clovis Air Base Hospital. Admission was 60 cents for adults, 30 cents for children.

Organizers reported they cleared $240 from the event, despite the death of President Roosevelt on the day of the show.

Transitions ...

1950: Roosevelt County reported its January sales were up 5 percent from January 1949. Overall, New Mexico reported an 8 percent drop in retail sales and most eastern New Mexico counties also reported sales down.

Curry County had 9 percent less sales in January 1950 than January 1949, while Lea County was down 12 percent the same time period, The Portales Daily News reported.

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

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