1958: The year before

1958: The year before

The year 1958 would be the last for the Odessa Bronchos to be the "only game in town." The beloved Bronchos went 5-5 that year.

Weather report: On Jan. 5, Odessa received two and a half inches of snow, with as much as 11 inches falling in other parts of the Permian Basin. Hotels and motels were filled to capicity with stranded motorists .... Rainfall totaled 13.71 inches in 1958, including 2.76 inches in September During that month, a 1 1/2-hour deluge hit the city, creating flash floods 5 to 6 feet deep and forcing motorists to abandon their vehicles. About 50 cars had to be pulled from flooded streets. The downpour also washed out the Texas and Pacific railroad tracks, causing 26 freight trains to leave the track. Property damage was estimated at about $200,000.

Deputy killed: The shocking slaying of Ector County deputy sheriff Thad West on Feb. 27 was one of the biggest stories of the year. West drove to an apartment on North Dotsy to investigate a routine case. West knocked on the door and after receiving no response, entered the residence. Moments later, he was gunned down in the living room, killed instantly by three .38 caliber shots to his chest. His revolver was still in its holster The killer dived through a window, sending shards of glass flying to the ground outside the apartment, and fled from the scene. A four-state alarm was issued for the suspect, George Franklin McMichael, a 36-year-old ex-convict. As the massive manhunt got under way, roadblocks were set up, house-to-house searches made, helicopters called in and bloodhounds used. McMichael was cornered 15 hours after the shooting in a house in southeast Odessa at 208 Pecos. As officers surrounded the residence, McMichael was ordered to surrender. Instead, he burst out the rear door of the house, waving a pistol and was killed with three barrages of gunfire.

Morality crusade: During February a group of residents embarked on a crusade against "lustful material." Merchants and police said that they were eager to cooperate, but did not have the time to investigate every book and magazine that came into Odessa. Eighty-five men and women representing church organizations, federated womens clubs, Boy and Girl scouts and parent-teacher organizations joined together with the idea that corrupting influences like "Playboy" increased sex-related crimes among youth. A list of other "dirty books" was to be compiled at a later time.

Bond issues fail: In an OCt. 28 election, voters approved a measure for $270,000 to build and equip a fire station, but defeated a $1,195,000 bond issue for waterworks, a $335,000 proposal for sewer projects and a $1,200,000 issue for street i improvements. On Dec. 13, Ector County voters defeated Odessa College's proposed $675,000 library bond issue by nearly a two-to-one margin. More than 2,100 voters went to the polls in subfreezing temperatures to defeat the proposal 1342 to 761.

Constructton work: Eighth Street was paved, and building boomed throughout the year. The city building inspector's office reported a record $29,100,1kq3 in permits with 2,295 new homes and 275 commercial buildings under construction. Work began on a $500,000 construction project at Odessa Country Club, and on a $12 million cement plant on the west side of town. The surge in construction occurred at an opportune time, since an estimated 7,320 people moved to Odessa during the year.

-- Boys Club is formed in Odessa.

-- Odessa begins receiving water from Lake Thomas, formed behind a $11.75 million dam located south of Shyder.

-- Sweetwater holds its first Rattlesnake Roundup.

Click here for 1958 Season Stats

Click here for 1958 Individual Stats