The following is a recap of local events for this time period throughout history.
There is a Christmas tree in the foyer, Christmas cards hanging on the walls and plenty of leftover goodies from Monday’s Christmas-Farewell to Doug Brown party which are strewn around. But Christmas Day at the San Juan County Sheriff’s office is a strictly business day. “Well, ma’am, you’re going to laugh at this, but Christmas last year was one of our busiest days of the year,” says Sgt. Bruce Sullivan, who will be on duty from 6 a.m.-6 p.m. on Saturday. “I hope it’s going to be real quiet and everybody has a merry Christmas and that there’s no problems,” he says. But he anticipates a lot of problems this year. Holiday drinking is often followed by domestic fights – something about the combination of alcohol, too much sudden closeness and “the letdown of Christmas being over” can turn family gatherings sour, says Sullivan. And from economic depression springs emotional depression. “I know there’s an awful lot of people who are out of work,” he says. “They get these things, presents and everything and they find there’s no money.”
Aztec Independent Review
President Nixon’s remarks in a television address November 25 concerning ornamental gas lighting were not intended to snuff out all gas lights in the country. Charles DiBona, presidential assistant for fuels policy, told the American Gas Association that “ornamental gas lights were an example of energy usage that could be discontinued to conserve energy.” But that this was a spontaneous response and “clearly not intended to criticize gas lighting where necessary for safety and the public welfare.” In Aztec, Southern Union Gas Company’s area manager, E.A. Cridebring, suggests that citizens exercise individual judgment as to whether to continue using their gas lights. He emphasized that many gas lights are installed for reasons of security and safety to discourage prowlers in dark alleys and poorly lit city streets and for safety along walkways, driveways and steps. Southern Union Gas is extremely fortunate in regard to its gas supply position in Aztec.
Aztec Independent Review
Over 200 cars surplus Colorado potatoes have been purchased by New Mexico dairymen and other livestock feeders, according to C.V. Hemphill, Chairman, State PMA Committee. Sixteen small cars of these potatoes have been purchased by San Juan County feeders, according to Rudy Ferrari, Chairman of the ACA Committee. Our feeders are paying 31 cents per hundredweight for these potatoes and are well pleased with results. These potatoes are ordered through the county A.C.A. Office.
Aztec Independent Review
The discovery of oil in commercial quantity on the Hogback structure, the opening of a large gas field on the La Plata, together with the discovery of both oil and gas at Aztec has attracted the attention of oil operators all over the world and there is now a wild scramble for acreage in the San Juan. It is also quite notable that the big major oil companies are taking the lead, an indication that the great San Juan is finally coming to the front with conditions favorable for a boom which will exceed the expectations of our most extreme optimists.
San Juan Review
A number of business men and citizens of Aztec made up a purse and purchased a sheep lined cost and overshoes for George Holly, the La Plata mail carrier.
Farmington Times Hustler
One of the good features of our telephone exchange is now being realized in its daily weather forecasts. These are given daily for two days ahead and are in the main accurate. They are posted at the post office window every morning here, and you can get them if you have a phone by calling up contrail any morning after 10 o’clock.
Farmington Times Hustler
This Week in Local History is compiled by Debi Tracy Olsen, local journalist and member of the Aztec Museum Board of Directors. The stories are pulled from newspaper archives and are reprinted as they appeared, errors and all.
