Davis joins the Globetrotters

The Poplar Bluff Museum tells many unknown tales of our community. I want to tell you some of those tales found within the museum walls.

Lonnie Davis was an All Star basketball player at Wheatley High School. He started and played every game for four years. He led the Tigers in scoring and rebounding.

After graduation, Lonnie played with independent basketball and baseball teams. He signed with the “Memphis Redsox” in the Negro Baseball League and later with “Chicago American Giants.” Lonnie was recruited and signed by Abe Saperstein to play for the “Harlem Globetrotters” basketball and baseball teams.

Lonnie continued his baseball career playing in Drummondville, Canada, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Thomasville, Georgia, Aberdeen, South Carolina, York, Pennsylvania and Danville, Illinois. He only retired only after breaking his leg.

Lonnie was a role model to young athletes back in Poplar Bluff. He worked hard with them mentoring and developing their skills. He returned to coaching at Wheatley High School. Some of his star pupils were the famous football and basketball All Star Moss brothers.

Lonnie was also a musician and businessman. He owned a club called the “Blue Note.” As a testament to his character, his friend Larry McClellon recalled an incident at the Blue Note.

“After catching a burglar in the club, Lonnie asked him why? The man replied that he was hungry and didn’t have any money. Lonnie didn’t press any charges and instead gave the man a job,” McClellon said.

Lonnie Davis was inducted into the Poplar Bluff Sports Hall of Fame in 1984. His plaque is on display in the Poplar Bluff Museum. The museum is handicap accessible and open every Sunday, free of charge, from 1-4 p.m. at 1010 Main St., Poplar Bluff (formerly the Old Mark Twain School). Tell them Mike sent you!

Mike Shane is a veteran, Poplar Bluff resident and board member for the Poplar Bluff Museum.