Pages past - July 19

On this date ...

1973: A Clayton city police officer was fatally shot in the head during a confrontation with “a Chicano group” in a residential area of Clayton.

Emilio Maestas, 50, was shot as he stepped out of a patrol car and died hours later at an Amarillo hospital. He was survived by his wife and nine children.

Seven people were arrested after the shooting, including one murder suspect — Lawrence Eugene Vigil, 18, of Clayton.

The shooting reportedly occurred after officers were greeted by thrown rocks and beer cans from teens at the residence.

Vigil later was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and sentenced to 10 years in prison.

— President Richard Nixon lifted a freeze on health care and most food prices and announced a new Phase 4 economic controls that will include a freeze on profits.

— In response from north-side residents, City Hall has arranged with Tucumcari Public Schools to open a practice ballfield at the old Coronado School site.

— The Odeon Theatre was showing “Charlotte’s Web,” a film version of the E.B. White children’s book.