Pages past — March 9

On this date ...

1976: Shaw’s Jewelers on Main Street in Clovis was offering free ear piercing with purchase of earrings.

And earrings were only $7.95, according to a newspaper advertisement.

“Our totally new method (for ear piercing) is quick, completely safe and sterile, without discomfort,” the ad reported.

1966: A Rock Island Railway freight train, partially loaded with ammunition and blasting powder bound for Vietnam, derailed near Logan.

Five of the 103-car train’s seven diesel engines were demolished when they collided with a flatbed truck.

The truck had stalled on the tracks. Three members of the train crew — including 19-year-old Howard Andrews of Tucumcari — were admitted to the Tucumari hospital with minor cuts and bruises.

No explosions had occurred; a National Guard demolition team had been called in to remove cartons of ammunition and blasting powder.

1961: Roosevelt County Sheriff Glen Widener was investigating overnight vandalism at Portales Country Club.

The sheriff said vandals operated two battery-powered “go-carts” used to transport golfers over the fairways and damaged them considerably.

They also broke open a door and stole candy and other merchandise, the Portales News-Tribune reported.

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

http://www.highplainsyesterdays.com