Pages past — June 11

On this date ...

1961: TG&Y announced plans to open a store in Clovis.

The variety store, which had locations nationwide, would be built on the site of the former Silver Grill in the 600 block of Main Street.

The Silver Grill, one of Clovis’ more popular restaurants, had been destroyed by fire about a month earlier.

TG&Y was to face Pile Street, directly across from Piggly Wiggly, officials said.

Construction was to start immediately.

1961: A 9-year-old Farwell boy had caught a multi-colored snake that some had identified as a venomous coral snake.

A University of New Mexico biology professor, however, quieted fears when he identified the reptile as a harmless king snake.

Danny Reed’s snake, which he kept in a jar, was about 9 inches long, more narrow than a pencil, and had yellow, black and red markings on its head.

1951: Relatives of a Clovis Marine learned he’d been killed during a recent assault in Korea.

Cpl. Fred B. Fickle, 28, had gone overseas in November.

He was survived by his wife Charlene, who lived at 1221 Sheldon St. in Clovis, and his parents.

Fickle was also a veteran of World War II.

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

http://www.highplainsyesterdays.com