Pages past, Sept. 15: Clovis debates lodgers tax on hotel rooms

On this date ...

1915: Area drug stores advertised Doan’s Kidney Pills, a “tested and proven remedy” for kidney and bladder problems.

They were 50 cents per bottle.

1951: Eastern New Mexico residents scrambled to dig out their coats and sweaters as temperatures dropped 35 degrees in 24 hours.

Winds were clocked at 23 mph, with 30 mph gusts, as temperatures fell from the low 80s to the mid-40s.

Weather forecasters were predicting lows in the upper 30s over the next day or two, but said there was little danger of a freeze in eastern New Mexico or the Texas Panhandle.

1956: A Clovis man classified by federal officials as a “major source of dope in the Southwest,” had been convicted on an opium charge, the Clovis News-Journal reported.

Max Velasquez, 47, was the operator of the former El Sombrero Club.

A federal jury needed just 15 minutes to return the guilty verdict.

A week later, Judge Carl Hatch sentenced Velasquez to 10 years in federal prison, the maximum punishment for the crime.

1957: Roosevelt County Republicans were selling tickets for an upcoming Constitution Day dinner to be held in Portales.

The $2 tickets were available from Mrs. Lacy Armstrong and Charlie Little.

A number of prominent state Republicans were expected to attend, including state Chairman Tony Llewellyn of Alamogordo, and Walter Cobean of Roswell.

1959: Levine’s in Clovis was preparing for a September Spectacular sale.

Nylon stretch socks were 19 cents a pair.

Children’s cowboy boots were $3.99 a pair.

Men’s slip-on shoes were $5.

Non-skid scatter rugs were 89 cents to $2.69.

A newspaper ad promised, “You will find hundreds of other values not advertised.”

1963: Longtime U.S. Sen. Carl Hatch, an attorney who lived in Clovis from 1916 to 1949, died in Albuquerque at age 73.

President Theodore Roosevelt in 1939 signed his Hatch Act, which prohibited civil service employees from taking an active part in political campaigns.

It remains law today.

1971: Eastern New Mexico University students elected fellow students to university senate and board of activities positions.

Student government advisor Dallan Sanders reported John McKissack of Roswell won the treasurer’s race over Cathy Overdorf while Bill Piatt was named student attorney.

Sanders said the Executive Council, comprised of the president, vice president and director of activities, had been elected prior to the spring semester. Gary Blakeley of Portales was student body president.

Sanders said about 30 student senate seats were open, but not all were filled because two residence halls made mistakes in election procedure. Those elections were rescheduled.

Sanders also announced that a new organization devoted to supplementing school spirit had been formed. A group of university men named the Riot Squad would be assisting cheerleaders at ballgames.

The Riot Squad was replacing the defunct Houndsmen organization.

1977: At a regular meeting of the Clovis Chamber of Commerce, chamber President Elwyn Crume led a debate among directors over whether to ask the Clovis City Commission to place a lodgers tax on hotel room costs in the city.

Crume suggested that funds raised from the proposed tax could be used to “produce a multi-colored brochure to promote the Clovis area,” as well as “probably be used in obtaining a new civic center,” according to the Clovis News-Journal.

Director Bill Creech argued that such a tax would be “immoral” as it targeted one particular group of people.

After much discussion, a vote was taken to gather more information before making the request.

1990: Voters prepared to decide whether Eastern New Mexico University-Clovis campus should become an independent community college.

Cost to the average home owner would be about $20 per year, the Clovis News Journal reported.

State Sen. Walter Bradley, R-Clovis, was among those opposed to the measure.

“The more I looked at the facts, I’m not so sure it’s the best thing for us,” he said.

“The bottom line, as I understand it, is that we will increase our taxes and receive no more (state) funding than what we’re already getting.”

The vote was 2,417 to 2,375 in favor of separation. Officials said 36% of Clovis’ eligible voters participated in the election.

1999: Actress Lila Leeds, who grew up in Clovis, died in Los Angeles at age 71.

Her movie credits include “Lady in the Lake” and “She Shoulda Said ‘No!’”

Pages Past is compiled by David Stevens and Betty Williamson. Contact:

[email protected]