Pages past - Oct. 23

On this date ...

1974: Robby Birch, a former Tucumcari Rattler, became a pleasant surprise as a walk-on this season with the Western New Mexico University football team.

Birch, a freshman, converted a 23-yard field goal to boost Western to a 17-16 victory over New Mexico Highlands, its first against that school in 11 years. It also gave the Mustangs a three-game winning streak.

Birch was a three-year letterman at Tucumcari in football and track, though he was just a second-string place-kicker at THS behind Robin Smith.

— New Mexico State Police confiscated 200 pounds of marijuana from a Texas vehicle on U.S. 66 in Tucumcari. State police later burned it.

Local police also were investigating burglaries at Worley Mills, Pow Wow Inn and a residence on South Third Street. A Tucumcari couple also was arrested for possession of marijuana and heroin.

— Among the prime-time television listings were “Chico & The Man,” “Cannon,” “Little House on the Prairie,” “Lucas Tanner” and “Petrocelli.”

— Southwest Motors in Tucumcari was selling a 1971 Ford Galaxie 500 four-door car for $1,495 and a one-owner 1970 Ford V-8 pickup truck for $1,595.