Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
On this date ...
1940: A.J. Whiting, 68, a pioneer cowboy, railroad worker, retail store owner and city manager, died in Clovis Memorial Hospital from pneumonia.
Whiting came to Clovis in 1910 after he grew tired of cow punching for the Endee Cattle Co.
He worked for the railroad as a fireman. He later opened a variety store before he was appointed Clovis’ city manager. He retired from the city to work as district manager for the New Mexico Utilities Co.
His obituary, published on the front page of the Clovis News-Journal, stated Whiting was “always a bulwark in Masonic work” and he was known as the “Daddy of DeMolay” in Clovis, rising to the rank of 32nd degree Mason and master of his lodge.
He lived at 607 Mitchell St.
1965: Trans-Texas Airways was advertising flights from Clovis to Chicago, Washington, D.C., and New York.
TTA’s “Astrojets” made the flights from Clovis to Dallas, where they connected with American Airlines, which completed the trip non-stop.
Departure times from Clovis were at 12:13 p.m. and 6:20 p.m.
“TTA to Dallas … the perfect pair anywhere!” newspaper advertising claimed.
1970: Vandals had been busy throughout Clovis.
Police said Yucca Junior High School sustained about $650 in damages, ranging from broken glass and ink-stained carpet to ransacked student lockers.
More than 30 windows and windshields were broken in buses parked outside Westbrook Baptist Church.
About $500 in damage was reported at a construction site near Clovis High School.
And the Veterans of Foreign Wars Hall on West Seventh Street reported someone tore down $100 worth of Christmas lighting.
Remembering the Top Hat …
1960: J&B Package Store claimed to have “everything for your New Year’s Eve party,” from wine to beer.
J&B was located at 2019 W. Seventh in Clovis, “across from Top Hat Drive-In.”
Funny papers …
1970: Newspaper comics pages featured more than a dozen strips daily.
“Blondie,” “Short Ribs,” “Mickey Finn,” “Alley Oop,” and “Peanuts” were among the most popular.
In “Peanuts,” Lucy offered psychiatric help for 5 cents.
Charlie Brown confessed “Life is very hard” and told his neighborhood friend that he had a terrible feeling it might get worse as he got older.
“Is there anything I can do to protect myself?” he asked.
“Try wearing a helmet,” Lucy replied. “Five cents, please!”
Pages Past is compiled by David Stevens. Contact: