Pages past, Jan. 27: Vandalism and burlesque

On this date …

1951: Three boys, ages 8 to 10, had gone before Assistant District Attorney J.C. Compton to address vandalism allegations.

The boys admitted they broke multiple windows and “smashed in the door” at an uninhabited Portales home owned by John Fairley.

The boys agreed to pay all damages. Their parents were issued a warning “urging them to care for their children and not let them run loose to commit pranks such as this one,” The Portales Tribune reported.

1966: Parmer County Sheriff Charles Lovelace was honored with an “Appreciation Night” in Bovina.

Lovelace was first elected in 1948 and had been re-elected six times. He'd been unopposed in each of his re-election bids.

Lovelace said there had been five armed robberies and five murders in the county since he took office, “all of which have been solved.” Lovelace praised other law-enforcement agencies and county residents. “They solve my crimes for me,” he said.

Lovelace said he didn't wear a gun and “never really had any use for a gun,” but always kept one handy.

That's entertainment …

1951: The Portales Junior Chamber of Commerce had announced plans to present a “burlesque show” in March.

“Members of the organization will be actors in the show, several having had experience in other performances, which were approved by the public,” The Portales Tribune reported.

Worth a try …

1961: The following ad appeared in the Portales News-Tribune:

“Will the person who took the trailer load of feed from my property please phone me and I'll bring you the sideboards. Buster Wooten - RE6-8136.”

Something to do …

1971: The Lyceum theater in Clovis was showing X-rated movies, Walt Disney's “The Aristocats” was playing at the State theater down the street, the Friday lunch special at Hotel Clovis was a fish dinner for $1.50, and Furr's Cafeteria and Pie Kitchen was open seven days a week in Hilltop Plaza Shopping Center.

Pages Past is compiled by David Stevens. Contact:

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