Door-to-door salesman were more than a nuisance in 1949, they were also potential scammers. The Chamber of Commerce fought this by issuing cards to reputable sellers. Another crime of yesteryear is timber theft in the 1920s.
100 years ago
March 21, 1924
• Five men are arrested this morning for stealing timber from corporate land, then released on a cumulative $2,500 bond.
Charles Ward, George Ward, Raymond Ward, John Ward and Bill Caruthers all live several miles west of Poplar Bluff and are accused of felling trees on land owned by the Munger Securities Company. The thefts allegedly happened between September 1923 and March 1924. A minimum estimate for the stolen timber’s value is $50.
All five defendants maintain their innocence and will fight the charges in court. A hearing is scheduled for April.
75 years ago
March 21, 1949
• Poplar Bluff has a problem with phony salesmen.
The Chamber of Commerce issues Blue Cards to verified salesmen to prevent fraud. Nevertheless, reports continue of door-to-door salesmen taking orders and cash for various products and failing to deliver. Others complain these “itinerant peddlers” take business away from local vendors “who usually have the same merchandise in their stores at a better price and of better quality,” according to the article.
Three unnamed young men were arrested the sheriff’s department last night after causing a nuisance by pushing magazine subscriptions. Officers learned they gave different stories to their marks to garner sympathy. They were released after promising to leave town.
In another incident, a salesman claimed to have special permission from the chamber to accept preorders for cookware, when in reality the chamber authorized no such thing.
Police Chief Nathan Massie advised citizens to insist on seeing salesmen’s Blue Cards before giving them orders or money.
50 years ago
March 21, 1974
• Mayor Bernard Wheetley said he’s “very optimistic” Poplar Bluff will receive federal funding for a proposed overpass on South Fifth Street.
Wheetley and other city officials presented a proposal and feasibility study to the Missouri State Highway Commission yesterday. The city seeks full funding for the $1.1 million project, which seeks to redirect an estimated 10,000 vehicles per day crossing a rail yard between Highway 53 and Park Avenue.
Wheetley told the commission the overpass is “a very critical need in Poplar Bluff for the past 50 years. Alleviating this condition (the grade crossing) has become vital with increased traffic and population growth.”
Menu
