Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
On this date ...
1946: A California man was killed near Cryder, about 11 miles west of Melrose, when his 1940 Buick collided with a truck.
Officials said John Lee Hunt was identified only by his papers on him that included a draft classification card.
Three hitchhikers riding with Hunt were slightly injured and treated at the hospital in Fort Sumner.
Two men in the truck were not injured.
1951: Montgomery Ward, located at 307 Main in Clovis, was hosting its annual January White Goods Event.
Thirty-inch flour sack squares were five for $1. Bed sheets were $2.34 to $2.64. Novelty blankets were $3.58.
1956: An assistant professor of chemistry had been selected to present a lecture intended to “give laymen a better understanding of science,” according to Eastern New Mexico University’s Richard E. Stroup.
Clifford Schultz, who had joined the ENMU faculty about five months earlier, would speak about “chemistry in everyday living” at ENMU’s science building, the Clovis News-Journal reported.
1957: “The Lady is a Killer,” starring Anne Baxter, was playing at Clovis’ Lyceum theater.
“She looks like an angel, but there’s a secret in her eyes,” according to the movie’s promotional ad.
1961: The Curry County United Fund had received an unexpected boost to its campaign efforts when the Clovis Retail Liquor Dealers Association pledged $1,800 to the drive.
The drive had been stalled for two weeks, but would continue until Jan. 31.
The liquor dealers’ contribution boosted the fund’s total to $44,087.47 – 68% of the year’s goal.
1967: Karl Kramer, known to eastern New Mexico farmers as the “Dutchman,” had announced his retirement after 27 years with the Curry County Soil and Water Conservation Department.
He was born in Germany, one of 14 children, and moved to Clovis in the late 1930s.
His first job with soil and water paid 37.5 cents an hour, the Clovis News-Journal reported.
“Karl plans not only to live life easy for awhile, but he will also do a little landscaping and gardening,” according to the newspaper.
1971: Clovis saw about an inch of snow as the temperature dropped to 2 degrees.
Fort Sumner recorded temperatures at 5-below zero with about 1.5 inches of snow.
Some county roads were blocked across the region because of blowing snow. Cannon Air Force Base recorded wind gusts at 44 mph.
1972: A stray cow had wandered onto State Highway 18 about 10 miles north of Clovis and was killed by a car.
The cow caused only minor damage to the vehicle of Ruth Jean Powell, 44, of Hobbs, police said.
She was not injured.
1976: A citizen’s band radio had been stolen from a car parked in the 100 block of Sycamore Street. The radio’s value was estimated at $150 to $175.
In other CB news, Oklahoma law officers reported two men had been posing as federal agents in attempts to confiscate radios from unsuspecting motorists. The men had been claiming they were license inspectors for the Federal Communications Commission. FCC officials said none of their inspectors were in the area where radios had been taken.
1976: A motorcycle collided with a horse in an open field near Seventh and Cameo streets in Clovis.
Police said two 17-year-old boys were injured. The rider of the horse suffered a broken leg; the motorcycle driver suffered an injured knee.
The horse also suffered a broken leg and its owner asked police at the scene to destroy the animal.
1983: Ten Curry County officials raised their right hands to take their oaths of office from Judge Ruben Nieves in the district courthouse in Clovis.
Elected officials beginning new terms included Dick Burke, probate judge; Claude Burkett, county commissioner; Ottis Foster, magistrate judge; Emzy Gaydon, magistrate judge; Florine Hawkins, county clerk; Alyce Littlejohn, county assessor; Wesley Myers, sheriff; Travis Stovall, county commissioner; Cullen Williams, county commissioner; and Anita Zachrel, county treasurer.
The county commission met shortly afterward and elected Stovall chair.
1988: Construction was set to begin soon on a new community senior center for Milnesand, according to Roosevelt County Administrator Mike Leighton.
Barring delays, the center was scheduled to be completed and ready for use by March.
Pages Past is compiled by David Stevens and Betty Williamson. Contact:
