THE PAST 100 YEARS

From The Santa Fe New Mexican:

March 27, 1924: Headed by Ed Thomas of Thomas Motor Co., as candidate for mayor, a business man’s and tax payer’s ticket was put into the field by the Democratic city convention at the hall of representatives last night while a crowd that practically filled the spacious hall cheered enthusiastically.

March 27, 1949: Sen. Claude Gamble of Clovis, an oldtimer in the legislature, has been sounding off about this last session being the “most reckless’ he ever experienced.

March 27, 1974: Another high voltage power line across their reservation would be two too many for 109 Navajo Indians. They’d like to get rid of the one they’ve got already.

They came to town Tuesday with an interpreter to object to Tucson Gas & Electric’s plan to build a 500,000 volt power line adjacent to a 345,000 volt line the firm stretched across the reservation two years ago.

In the state public service commission’s opening session the Indians painted a picture of grassland damage, frightened sheep and burial sites crushed by bulldozers.

March 27, 1999: Three spaces down row 14 at Rosario Cemetery, there is a patch of grass just new enough that it doesn’t seem to blend with the surrounding landscape. The plot is decorated with balloons and flowers and birthday cards; they don’t seem to fit here either.

Eric Garcia was supposed to celebrate his 12th birthday Friday with a barbecue at Carlos Rey Park.

He was supposed to excitedly rip open his gifts. He was supposed to show his friends the new magic tricks that he practiced relentlessly in front of his rather tolerant and loving family.

Eric thought the weather would be nice enough to cook hamburgers and hot dogs outside on Friday, and it was.

Only Eric’s 12th birthday was celebrated at his grave.