Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities

Pages past, Jan. 31: Last train to Belen and rooms to rent

On this date ...

1971: Third-grade students at Clovis’ Highland Elementary School had written letters asking North Vietnamese military leaders “to improve treatment of American prisoners of war,” the Clovis News-Journal reported.

Mrs. Glenn Randolph’s class wrote letters in pencil at the suggestion of a report in My Weekly Reader.

Lisa Lawson’s letter read: “Please let them get mail and presents. Please let the Red Cross help. (T)hey can give them blades to shave with. We pray to God to help these men. Let the families know they are alive. Please let them send mail. Please release the sick or injured men or take them to a hospital. Because we love our men and America.”

1971: H.C. Delaney was retiring after more than 46 years with the Santa Fe Railway.

He said his first run took place Sept. 12, 1924, when he rode as a fireman on a coal-burning train from Clovis to pick up a load of cattle in Elida.

On his last run, he was the engineer on a diesel-powered passenger train that went to Belen from Clovis.

Asked about his plans for retirement, he looked at his wife and said, “Washing dishes a lot.”

1981: The Portales Inn was preparing to open 40 rooms on its second and third floors, while the fourth floor had been remodeled into eight apartments.

Owner Weldon Bauske said he would offer overnight and week-long service for guests of the rooms on the second and third floors.

The fourth floor would be open to retired persons.

The four-story hotel had been “completely remodeled” over the past year. Dining room and coffee shop facilities had been available for the past 60 days, the Portales News-Tribune reported.

Let’s make a deal …

1951: Tom Cherry had been named a partner with Max Meadors Chevrolet. The car dealership’s new name was Meadors-Cherry Co. It was located at Grand and Pile streets.

A newspaper ad announcing the partnership read:

“Tom has done a fine job with us as manager the past five months. We think he is one of the finest and most capable young men in the automobile business today … He has already made friends among our customers and, if you have not already met him, we think you, too, will like him.”

Paint, floors and more …

1966: Williams Paint & Floor Covering was Clovis’ headquarters for wallpaper, step ladders, paint brushes, vinyl floor covering, picture frames and more, according to a newspaper ad.

The retail store was located at 119 E. Fifth St.

Pages Past is compiled by David Stevens. Contact:

[email protected]

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