Pages past, Sept. 7: Domenici campaign misses Milnesand

On this date…

1972: Paul Davis, owner of Davis Mercantile in Milnesand and a volunteer working to elect Pete Domenici for his first term as a United States Senator from New Mexico, must have been puzzled.

The Domenici campaign had scheduled a 15-minute visit to the tiny community in south Roosevelt County for some handshaking and to “tour the village.”

But the driver of Domenici’s “travel-trailer-camper” said he didn’t even realize he’d completely missed Milnesand until he spied the water tower on the south edge of Dora, 20 miles on up the road.

Paul Davis likely saw the vehicle that held Domenici, an aide, and a newsman shoot right past his front door that day.

The newspaper did not record whether that changed Davis’ support for Domenici, but the oversight wasn’t enough to cost him the election.

Domenici went on to represent New Mexico for six terms in Washington, D,C,, and is still the longest serving senator in state history.

Pages Past was compiled by Betty Williamson.