Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
On this date ...
1903: The Santa Fe New Mexican newspaper reported the town of Texico in Roosevelt County was home to “several hundred people” and “about 14 stores.”
1945: A.W. Skarda and Mrs. J.J. Walker, both of Clovis, received separate telegrams telling them their children — Cash Skarda and Dale W. Walker — had been released from Japanese prisoner of war camps.
1945: Portales High School Coach C.F. Brown had issued 77 uniforms to boys coming out for football.
Only nine of those players were returning from the year before.
1952: Five guns, six wrist watches and a couple of pocket knives were stolen from the Army Surplus store at 205 W. Grand Ave. in Clovis, police said. The burglar gained entry to the store by prying open a panel from the rear door.
1956: Grant Jones, the state milk sanitarian stationed in Clovis, had returned from vacation.
The Clovis News-Journal reported he’d spent the previous three weeks in Wisconsin.
1964: Anybody missing a pony? Helen Estes, who lived at 1001 E. Seventh St. in Clovis, reported a pony with a rope around its neck was on the playground at Eugene Field Elementary School. The pony’s owner was not immediately located.
1967: The Walker family members of Phoenix were designated “Tourists of the Month” by the Clovis Jaycees.
The family of four received a complimentary night’s stay at the Rodeway Inn, dinner at K-Bob’s Steakhouse, breakfast at Denny’s Restaurant, and a box of candy from Roden Smith Rexall Drug.
In addition, Mrs. Walker was gifted with a can of “hair set” from Robearl’s Coiffures, and the family car was fueled up for free by Ingram Bros. Oil Co.
The lucky travelers also won a “free phone call to anywhere in the United States” from Mountain States Telephone Co., and an “evening of entertainment” from Dog N Suds Miniature Golf.
1971: The Air Force reported a radio signal indicating help was needed on Clovis’ north side turned out to be a false alarm.
Two military helicopters had responded to the call for help over a residential area, but did not land and returned to the base after an explanation was provided.
An airman had taken a parachute home “after ... finding the parachute station closed,” the Clovis News-Journal reported.
At the airman’s home, “... A radio beeper on the parachute was accidentally flipped on, initiating the base search and rescue effort,” CNJ reported.
1975: Attorney Ed Tatum was heading the annual Curry County United Way campaign.
Tatum, an Oklahoma native, came to Clovis when he was assigned to Cannon Air Force Base after entering the Air Force.
In addition to United Way, he was active in Boy Scouts, Rotary Club and was president of the Curry County Bar Association, the Clovis News-Journal reported.
Tatum and his wife Susan had two pre-school-age children — Drew and Scott, the newspaper reported.
1976: Clovis city commissioners had voted 3-1 in favor of allowing Albertson’s Food Center at 21st and Prince to sell packaged liquor.
Commissioners Pat Sandoval and Jim Jacobs and Mayor Chick Taylor voted for the motion. Commissioner Cleo Carpenter opposed the measure.
Commissioner Bud Cagle, who had previously voted against the proposal, was not present when votes were cast. Commissioners Don Bonner and Frank Murray abstained, citing business interests linking them with Albertson’s.
1982: Local square dancers were lined up for a good weekend. The Y Squares were scheduled to be dancing at the Clovis YMCA to the calling of Bobby Graham, with rounds cued by longtime local dance teachers Daryle and Bobbie Stephens.
The following evening, veteran Portales caller James Pettus was lined up to dish out the “do-si-dos” at the regular gathering of the Circle 8 Square Dance Club at James Bickley Elementary in Clovis.
Pages Past is compiled by David Stevens and Betty Williamson. Contact:
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