Pages past - Aug. 5

On this date ...

1971: The Selective Service System conducted a lottery to determine the "order of induction" for the nearly 2 million young American men born in 1952.

"Draft officials have estimated that young men assigned a number above 150 or 160 can be fairly confident of not being drafted," United Press International reported.

The Clovis News-Journal published a photo of Clovis youth Jerry Dean and Reuben Reyes celebrating as they learned their draft numbers were 258 and 227, respectively.

1962: Fire caused about $30,000 in damage to Harold McDonald's dairy 15 miles north of Clovis. The blaze destroyed a hay barn, milking parlor and cooling facilities, the Clovis newspaper reported. McDonald trucked 89 milking cows to a dairy in Floyd until repairs could be made. Cause of the fire was not known.

1954: Candy scattered "all over the highway," when two trucks collided five miles west of Melrose, the Clovis News-Journal reported. A Curtis Candy Company truck was attempting to pass a half-ton truck when the crash occurred, state police reported. No one was seriously injured but the candy truck rolled 1 1/2 times, spilling the candy.

1953: A Santa Fe Heights resident complained to Clovis police about a large number of unlicensed dogs in his neighborhood.

He said about 40 dogs were roaming the area and they "bark and howl all night."

Nation mourns a legend ...

1962: Actress Marilyn Monroe, 36, was found dead in her Los Angeles home from an overdose of barbiturates.

"She was a warm, wonderful person who never hurt anyone but herself," Actor Dean Martin told United Press International.

Meanwhile in sports ...

1954: Clovis fell to Abilene, 6-4, dropping out of first place in the West Texas-New Mexico League.

Pioneers' pitcher Red Dial was already a 20-game winner, but lost for the 11th time.

Pampa, Texas, moved into the league's top spot with its third doubleheader sweep in three nights in what turned out to be a championship season for the Oilers.

On the funny pages ...

1968: Wilma was annoyed, but Pebbles felt like she improved the TV show she was watching by using her crayons to add color.

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

[email protected]