Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities

Will Bates: Much of Pep called him 'Dad'

I collect historical tidbits that interest me from area newspapers. Here are a few from Junes past in Roosevelt County papers:

• June 1, 1950: Eastern New Mexico University formally dedicated three new buildings — the student union, science hall and girls’ dormitory.

• June 2, 1955: Area farmers formed groups to begin battling a grasshopper invasion. About 90,000 acres of croplands were in danger, officials said, with cost to poison the hoppers estimated at 20 cents per acre.

• June 3, 1941: The Portales Daily News reported that Will Bates of Pep had become a father — for the 19th time. Lloyd Travis Bates was the most recent addition to the family, born May 26.

• June 4, 1941: Heavy rains, some estimated at 8 to 10 inches, left dozens of Roosevelt County homes and roads flooded. C.A. Franklin, who lived five miles north and two miles east of Portales, reported water standing 3 feet deep in his chicken house, with all his chickens drowned.

• June 5, 1950: New Mexico’s Supreme Court ruled the Roosevelt County school board and state board of education had the power to consolidate the Hiway and Dora school districts. W.A. Strawn of Hiway had brought suit hoping to stop the consolidation, concerned that some students would be traveling 80 miles to classes.

• June 6, 1955: Dean’s Automotive Service at 105 S. Abilene in Portales invited customers to take the new Packard “with torsion-level ride” for a spin. “Let the ride decide,” a newspaper ad urged.

• June 7, 1941: Roosevelt County, promoting itself as the “biggest producer of dairy products in New Mexico,” declared June as National Dairy Month.

David Stevens writes about regional history for Clovis Media Inc. Contact him at:

[email protected]

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