Two unusual thefts stand out among this date’s headlines: a doctor’s best suit, and almost a literal ton of telephone wire.
100 years ago
March 22, 1924
• A local doctor is being a good sport after his best suit was stolen.
A witness said a burglar entered two homes yesterday but only stole one thing: Dr. C.B. Coleman’s “Sunday best” suit. He tried unsuccessfully to sell the suit at a secondhand store downtown, but managed to sell it to a man outside the store for $8. He told the buyer he needed the money to get out of town on short notice.
“If you don’t see me at church for the next six months you’ll know why,” Coleman joked. He has offered to refund the man who bought the stolen suit upon its return.
• Measles are spreading throughout Poplar Bluff. Dr. I.N. Barnett reported 65 cases in total, half of which were reported this week. The disease also causes lung inflammation in some victims, including the most serious case: a 2-year-old who is described as “critically ill.”
75 years ago
March 22, 1949
• Butler County will party for its 100th birthday. A public meeting at the Poplar Bluff Courthouse brought a unanimous vote in favor of the proposed Centennial Celebration later this year. A committee was named to organize festivities.
50 years ago
March 22, 1974
• Rural phone service went out yesterday after thieves stole 1,000 feet of copper telephone wire. The theft occurred north of Puxico.
Missouri State Highway Patrol found two poles chopped down with an ax and several others pulled down, possibly with a vehicle. A total of 2,000 lbs. of cables were stolen. The replacement cost will be $6,000 for the provider, Southwestern Bell Telephone Company.
Earl Sawyer, manager of SBTC’s Poplar Bluff branch, reported the theft didn’t impact long-distance calls but disrupted service around Kinder, Duck Creek, Arab and McGee.
“I hope these thieves get caught... We’re talking about a rural area where all the phones go out and a real bad situation could develop in the event of fire or illness,” he told reporters.
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