Pages past, Dec. 25: About to be gone fishin'

On this date ...

1976: Owen Jones, a 26-year employee with the Bailey County Cooperative, had announced his plans to retire.

Jones, who lived in Muleshoe, was first employed by the coop on Dec. 5, 1950, and had served as a system engineer since that time.

Jones brought 26 special guests to his retirement party. He received a gold watch, fishing equipment and a scrapbook of photos from his quarter-century-plus on the job.

1946: Singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett was born in Pascagoula, Miss. He is best known for his hit “Margaritaville,” recorded in 1976 and released early in 1977.

Buffett also wrote “Come Monday” for wife Jane Slagsvol.

1870: Christmas was declared a federal holiday in the United States.

Europeans long celebrated the birth of Jesus Christ as part of their Winter Solstice, when cattle were often slaughtered and food was plentiful as people celebrated the worst of winter behind them and promises of longer days and sunlight ahead.

The date of Jesus’ birth is not known, but many biblical scholars believe it was in the spring.

Pages Past is compiled by David Stevens. Contact:

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