Pages past — Sept. 10

On this date ...

1976: Tom Pendergrass, one of Clovis’ first residents and historians, died at Clovis Memorial Hospital.

He was 76.

Pendergrass was born in Weed in 1900, but came to Clovis with his family in 1907, the year the railroad established Clovis as its headquarters for a new route west.

Pendergrass, who went to work for the railroad as an adult, was remembered for his “vivid recollection of Clovis’ early days and a propensity for storytelling,” the Clovis News-Journal reported.

1961: Pretty, dark-haired Leta Mae Carter, 17, of Grady had been named Curry County Fair queen.

Carter, a high school senior, posed for photos with her horse.

1956: Two bear cubs, captured after wandering into areas populated by people, had been donated to the Hillcrest Park Zoo by the State Game Commission.

One of the bears, whose age was estimated at 19 months, was spotted about two blocks from the state capitol in Santa Fe.

“... (A)t a time when school children were on their way to school, he was chased by housewives and mothers wielding brooms and sticks,” the Clovis News-Journal reported.

The cub was finally cornered in a garage.

The other cub, about 7 months old, was captured at a lumber camp near Taos.

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

http://www.highplainsyesterdays.com