Pages past — March 15

On this date ...

1966: Clovis’ Sears was having an Easter sale.

Men’s Perma-Prest slacks — “They never need ironing” — were $5.99 a pair. “Ivy and continental styles are treated with Scotchgard brand stain repeller,” a newspaper ad read. The pants were 65 percent Dacron polyester and 35 percent cotton.

Also, little boys’ rugby suits were $8.98 and came with bright-colored vests or two-tone jackets with constrasting slacks and vests.

1961: Portales Police Chief E. E. Hale was warning residents to keep their dogs in their yards.

“We have a half a dozen or more calls every day from people who are bothered by stray dogs,” Hale said. “The problem is getting out of hand.”

1956: Mary Ann and Linda Ferguson of Portales, ages 8 and 6, received a package in the mail. It contained a live alligator.

The children’s father ordered the alligator, which came with instructions about what it likes to eat — minnows, cray fish, shrimp, insects and earth worms.

The girls didn’t have any of those things, but were relieved to learn the foot-long baby gator only ate once a week so there was time to shop.

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

www.highplainsyesterdays.com