Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities

Pages past, May 16: Looking for work as a butter wrapper

On this date ...

1946: Roosevelt County was home to 246 military veterans registered with the U.S. Employment Service.

Records showed 185 of the veterans identified themselves as self-employed while 61 were unemployed.

Those filing for unemployment compensation said they were qualified to work as pipe fitters, carpenters, welders, painters, truck drivers, printers, cooks, telephone operators, grocery clerks and butter wrappers.

A butter wrapper was more broadly defined as someone who could package food products.

1951: Heavy rains had fallen throughout the region.

Karl Kramer, soil conservation service weather observer, reported Clovis had seen 2.48 inches of rain over two days.

Parmer County Extension Agent Joe Jones reported that area had recorded 3.6 inches of rain.

Portales saw 2.76 inches of rain.

Area farmers were “jubilant,” and said it was a “million-dollar rain,” the Clovis News-Journal reported.

1961: Twyla Wade’s piano students had been presented in a recital at Melrose.

The students included Molly Ridling, Pam Eastland, Pam Harris, Frank Eastland, Debbie Eastland, Chloe Carmichael, Marsha Harris and Katie Dickenson.

School’s out for summer …

1941: Curry County’s 1,000 school children, and their teachers, began their summer vacations.

None of the rural schools had scheduled summer classes, but Clovis was offering “make-up work” for students beginning May 26.

Casket cost important …

1966: Steed Funeral Home suggested three items to consider when planning a funeral: Casket cost, facilities available and services offered.

Dexter Todd was director of the Clovis funeral home.

Pages Past is compiled by David Stevens. Contact:

[email protected]

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