Pages past — Sept. 29

On this date ...

1985: An 18-year-old Clovis man was charged with murder in connection with the shooting deaths of his brothers, 17-year-old Juan Munoz and 9-year-old Fedencio Cardenas.

Jesus Cardenas was also accused of shooting his mother, father and sister, who were all hospitalized.

Cardenas suffered what authorities described as a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his thigh.

Cardenas, in February 1986, was sentenced to 33 years in prison for the shootings.

“I just want everyone to know, especially my mother, that I’m sorry,” he testified in court.

1970: The Class 3A Portales Rams, fresh from a surprising 20-14 win over previously unbeaten Class 4A Santa Fe, were ranked third in the United Press International 3A prep poll.

The Rams, 3-1, had won three in a row after losing their season opener to West Mesa of Albuquerque.

In national news ...

1975: Baseball legend Casey Stengel — the “Old Perfessor” —died of cancer in a Glendale, California, hospital at age 85.

Stengel won more than 1,900 games as a Major League manager, including eight World Series championships with the New York Yankees.

He was just as well known for his quips and personality.

MLB Network named Stengel “The Greatest Character of the Game” in 2009.

Pages Past is compiled by Editor David Stevens. For more regional history, check out his weblog at:

www.highplainsyesterdays.com