On this date ...
1971: The L.E. Perry family of Albuquerque, who previously owned the Cactus Club in Tucumcari, donated to the Tucumcari Historical Museum a mahogany and maple roulette table that was in the club. City Manager Bill Gordon drove to Albuquerque in his pickup to transport the relic. The donation included the roulette wheel, poker chips, a leather money bag and wooden cash box that locks. The roulette table remains in the museum’s annex.
The family of former governor John E. Miles also donated his photos to the museum, including one he made during the dedication of the First Street overpass in Tucumcari.
• A train struck and demolished an unoccupied 1962 Chevrolet after it stalled on the railroad tracks northeast of Tucumcari on U.S. 54. A tow truck had been summoned to remove the car but didn’t arrive in time before the train. It was unknown who owned the car.
• The Odeon Theatre in Tucumcari was screening a Hal Wallis-produced drama, “Red Sky at Morning.” The film follows Josh Arnold (portrayed by Richard Thomas), whose family relocates to New Mexico during World War II.