Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
On this date ...
1951: A Clovis woman had pleaded guilty to selling intoxicating liquor without a license.
Clovis police “staged a surprise raid” at the home of Ethel Jones, 50, just inside the city limits on the Portales highway, the Clovis News-Journal reported.
She paid a $300 fine, the newspaper reported.
1951: Portales had become the first city in New Mexico to implement a one-cent tax on packs of cigarettes, as authorized by the state Legislature.
The Portales City Council approved the tax and decided revenue would go into the city's recreation fund.
1966: The first “Queen's Clinic” was held at the Mounted Patrol Arena in Clovis, with former Curry County Fair queens helping hopefuls “in the proper manner of dressing, riding and equipment care.”
Former queens participating in the clinic included two state fair queens from Curry County - Wilma Fulgham and Lynetta Davis.
Six Curry County queens had gone on to win the state title and they believed the region could produce a state winner every year “with a little aid,” the Clovis News-Journal reported.
1966: Clovis' Park Board expressed concerned about conditions at Potter Pool.
One concern was that youngsters were jumping into the pool with their street clothes on. Mrs. J.A. Burran, a Park Board member, said appeals had been made years earlier for donations of unused and outgrown swimsuits and “this had worked out fine.” She recommend making another appeal.
Parks Superintendent John Holland said it had been “impossible” for his men to keep shower facilities available at the pool because equipment was routinely stolen or damaged.
Board members discussed the possibility of charging residents for use of the pool and facilities, but no action was taken.
1971: Clovis Memorial Hospital was treating 94 people for food poisoning following a wedding meal at the community hall of Grand Avenue Homes.
Hospital officials said 56 people - including children and older adults - had been admitted to the hospital after experiencing severe cramps and nausea.
All of the victims were released from the hospital by Monday following the meal that had taken place at noon the previous Saturday.
Officials suspected a potato salad as the cause of the poisoning.
Five doctors, 25 nurses and five lab technicians had been summoned to the hospital for the emergency. One unnamed observer said it was “the most extensive demand on hospital facilities here in 30 years,” the Clovis News-Journal reported.
Pages Past is compiled by David Stevens. Contact:
