Pages past — Dec. 7

On this date …

1973: Ceremonies at Gattis Junior High School in Clovis honored the hundreds of American servicemen who died in the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor 32 years earlier. Assistant Superintendent Davenport Beasley, who was stationed at Pearl Harbor on that “Day of Infamy,” was the featured speaker.

1966: A Clovis jury deliberated three hours before acquitting former City Clerk and Treasurer J. Wendell McCormick of an embezzlement charge. McCormick was accused of embezzling $10,084 from the city’s parking meter funds. He testified during his trial, explaining the funds were not missing, but used to replenish a number of petty cash drawers in city hall. Seven men and five women found him innocent after two days of trial testimony.

1941: An “Extra” edition of the Clovis News-Journal reported in a large, three-deck headline, “JAP BOMBERS BLAST HAWAII MANILA ALSO BOMBED.” A smaller headline across all eight columns of the newspaper read, “Sudden undeclared war flares in Pacific.” The lead story from The Associated Press began, “Japanese airplanes today attacked American defense bases at Hawaii and Manila and President Roosevelt ordered the Army and Navy to carry out undisclosed orders prepared for the defense of the United States.”

Dear Abby …

1970: Advice columnist Abigail Van Buren shared her views on a money issue with “Despairing Wife.” “It seems rather unfeminine for a wife to consult a lawyer about how much of her husband’s assets she is entitled to under the law, but it’s an idea,” she wrote. “And don’t worry about his divorcing you. In your state, it’s too expensive. So hold tight. You may outlive him.”

Bargain prices …

1937: Roy R. Smith Cleaners at 416 Main St. in Clovis would clean and press men’s suits for 40 cents. The service for ladies’ dresses: 50 cents. The phone number was 258.

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

[email protected]