Pages Past — Sept. 19

On this date ...

1970: Phyllis George of Dallas, the reigning Miss America, made a stop in Clovis to “herald the grand opening of the Walgreen Super Center,” the Clovis News-Journal reported. She signed so many autographs in a three-hour appearance, the paper reported, she required the use of a heating pad to ease the pain in her forearm.

1954: For the second night in a row, Clovis residents reported mysterious lights in the sky. Mrs. John Eagling, of 1221 Wallace, said tonight’s lights were not bright and looked like birds in formation, flying at a great rate of speed. A University of New Mexico meteorologist said both nights across the state were filled with “fire balls,” like hundreds of others in the last several years.

1946: Only postage stamps were for sale in Portales as “every firm in town” closed its doors for retail trade during a city-wide cleanup campaign. Only the post office remained open. The Chamber of Commerce organized the event intended to eliminate all rubbish that might provide a breeding ground for flies.

Abby’s advice ...

1967: A 52-year-old mother of nine told advice columnist Dear Abby that her only daughter “is just like her brothers ... She prefers baseball and football, and plays with the boys.” She wanted to “make my only daughter a girl.” Abby’s suggestion was to do nothing, for now. “She will instinctively shape up,” she wrote. “Don’t pressure her. And don’t scold or shame her.” But Abby also warned that if the girl continued her tomboy ways, “consult a school psychologist.”

Might be a good deal ...

1963: State Securities Inc. at 111 W. Grand was offering pay day loans. You could borrow $56.57 and pay only 84 cents interest if it were repaid in 15 days, the newspaper ad claimed.

Pages Past is compiled by Editor David Stevens. Contact him at:

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