Looking back 40, 30 and 20 years ago, the following are excerpts from the Artesia Daily Press from Sept. 27 – Oct. 3.
40 years ago
Sept. 27 – Oct. 3, 1975
The Artesia Bulldogs had to work mighty hard Friday night to prove they are still number one, and after a hard-fought game that could have gone either way, any time, they finally nipped the
Alamogordo Tigers 35-20.
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As reported in the Pinon News: Jack Large and Dan Gage worked this weekend putting a new window in the home of Mrs. Oma Gage. They also plan to put new paneling on the walls of her home. Junior Fuller of Alamogordo and some of his friends went bear hunting in Monument Canyon at the beginning of the bear season. Junior had good luck to kill his bear. The weight was guessed to be three hundred pounds after it was dressed. Heavy rains were reported in Alamogordo Saturday night and Sunday. Light showers fell over this area with a few heavy showers in scattered areas. Pinon Draw ran at the upper crossing Saturday night. Sunday, there was heavy fog at times with light rain falling and a cold wind out of the north. Sunday there was a light frost.
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Agricultural researcher Carl Barnes surveyed a field of cotton at the NMSU Experimental Branch Station south of Artesia. Area cotton crops, which have been declining in acreage and yield, are about three weeks behind schedule this year. Eddy County farmers have been experimenting with alternative crops such as spring wheat and safflower in an effort to supplement or replace their dwindling cotton profits.
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The Artesia City Council has postponed any further consideration of a proposed franchise ordinance allowing Central Valley Electric Cooperative to provide power service in certain areas of the city’s corporate limits. Action to delay consideration of the franchise ordinance submitted by CVE Manager Don Heathington came at the request of Southwestern Public Service Company Manager Bill Henry, who said his company objects to the granting of the CVE franchise request.
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A group of Lakewood citizens have organized and made plans to oppose the possible location of a liquor establishment in their area south of Artesia. The group, consisting of about 28 Lakewood residents, met Tuesday night to discuss the strategy they might take when the matter comes before state liquor director Carlos Jaramillo at a hearing in Carlsbad.
30 years ago
Sept. 27 – Oct. 3, 1985
A little rest and relaxation turned into a nightmare for an Artesia couple who were in Mexico when that country was rocked by an earthquake measuring 8.2 on the Richter Scale. Danny and Irene Hokett were in the resort of Ixtapa when the first quake occurred and flew out of Mexico 37 minutes before the second quake and subsequent airport closing. Mrs. Hokett said she and her husband are glad to be from Artesia because of all the concerned and caring residents.
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The Bulldogs accumulated 329 yards of offense in beating the Cavemen for the second year in a row, and this time they even received a trophy from a Carlsbad radio station honoring their Eddy County championship. Artesia moved to 3-2 on the season while Carlsbad dipped to 1-3.
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As reported in the Pinon News: Mr. and Mrs. Bill Morgan reported they are nearly out of firewood and their children had planned to spend the past weekend helping them get wood, but because of the area where they could get a permit of wood and the rains it made it impossible for them to get to the wood. Many campers, pickups, cars and motorcycles moved into the area for the beginning of the muzzle loading deer season. They seemed to have no cares or worries what they would do to the country of the ranchers grass plowing through the mud in their four-wheel-drive pickups and cars.
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Artesia bowler Wanda Trujillo had the first sanctioned 700 ever by a woman in Artesia by rolling a 725 last Monday in the Monday Night Scratch League at Tumbleweed Bowl. Formal recognition from the Women’s International Bowling Congress comes in the form of a 700 patch, induction into the 700 Club, a pin, and a few other odds and ends. Trujillo says her best previous score was a “600-something” several years ago.
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“Invasion U.S.A.” starring Chuck Norris and “St. Elmo’s Fire” were the featured films this week at Cinema Twin. A bacon cheeseburger was $1.95 at Huckabee’s.
20 years ago
Sept. 27 – Oct. 3, 1995
Bulldog football fans are warned that victory lanes will not be allowed Friday night when Artesia meets Onate in varsity football action in Las Cruces. The game is being played at New Mexico State University’s Aggie Memorial Stadium, where such things as victory lanes are prohibited. Thus, fans must remain in the bleachers when the team comes onto the field before both the first and third quarters. Cheerleaders can hold up signs for the players to run through, but that’s about it.
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Bulldog quarterback Josh Whitmire accounted for 348 of his team’s 447 total yards in Friday’s 21-6 win at Onate. Whitmire rushed 13 times for 144 yards and a touchdown and completed 16 of 31 passes for 204 yards and two more scores. The win broke a three-game Bulldog losing streak and evened Artesia’s season at 3-3.
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The Artesia terminal of Groendyke Transport Inc. celebrated the achievement of more than 2 million miles without a preventable accident at a safety banquet at La Fonda. Locally, there are three members of the President’s Club Million Mile Drivers. They are Jose Rodriguez, Bobby A. West and Tito M. Campos.
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As reported in the Pinon News: Tuesday was a cold day with a heavy mist and heavy north wind blowing. By dark the temperature had dropped to 32 degrees. All those who had flowers and gardens were much worried. Mrs. Hill reported she hired a girl to bring I all her potted plants and the coons had gotten all her corn so she did not have any left to eat. For those in the lower area such as Perk Canyon and the Pinon area, it did not frost. If it did, it was so wet the plants were all right. The men are still on the Van Cleve ranch working on the pipeline that is going to El Paso. Mrs. Van Cleve reported she thought they were about ready to start down Cornucopia Draw. They have to have someone go down each line looking for Indian signs such as arrowheads and other artifacts. So far, none have been reported, so the work has not been reported, so the work has not been delayed because of finding some.
(EDITOR’S NOTE: Looking Back is compiled each week by Daily Press Community Living Editor Teresa Lemon.)
