Pages past - July 18

On this date ...

1982: A 4-year-old Lovington boy had drowned in a septic tank in Fort Sumner.

John Humphrey was staying with his grandfather and aunt in a local motel when the accident occurred.

1947: A bolt of lightning struck in the midst of a group of onion pickers in a Portales field, killing farm worker Jay Nathan Hawk and injuring several others.

About 25 farm workers, all within 100 meters of each other, were knocked down by the strike. Twelve of those injured were children, including a 2-year-old.

Hawk, with the exception of his underwear, was stripped by the blast, including his hat and shoes, the Clovis News-Journal reported.

Pages Past was compiled by Anna George. Contact her at: [email protected]