Downtown merchants call foul in 1975

Downtown store owners protested a perceived snub in 1975, when a commercial booklet favored businesses on the west side of town.

In other news, authorities learned a wanted criminal with an impressive rap sheet lived and worked undetected in Poplar Bluff. His former boss noted he was quiet but otherwise seemed normal.

No issue available: Jan. 22, 1950.

100 years ago

Jan. 22, 1925

• A well-traveled criminal was captured in Indiana last week, and railroad officials learned he was briefly employed in Poplar Bluff.

Gerald Chapman, whom the Daily Republican described as a “mail robber, safe blower, gunman, escaped convict and alleged murderer,” was captured in Muncie, Indiana after a gun battle with police. He had $4,500 in cash, $3,000 in stolen bonds (some taken in a New York mail robbery), a steel saw, two bottles of nitroglycerin and a pistol.

The Missouri Division of the Missouri Pacific Railroad retraced his steps and found he spent several days in Poplar Bluff, working for Missouri Pacific under the name Gerald Campbell. His boss, Section Foreman Douglas, identified him from a photo and noted, “He worked hard all day, but never said a word to anyone. It seemed like he was in deep study all the time.”

Chapman went unnoticed by police even though they received federal warrants with his photo. The newspaper defended the department, saying the sheer volume of law enforcement data arriving every day made it impossible to remember every face.

50 years ago

Jan. 22, 1975

• Downtown Poplar Bluff businesses were incensed at their exclusion from a new commercial booklet and confronted the Chamber of Commerce at its recent meeting.

The Downtown Merchant’s Association said it felt exclusive coverage was given to shopping centers in West Poplar Bluff. Chamber Executive Vice-President Steve Feran apologized, and explained the booklet was not a guide for shoppers but an overview for out-of-town business prospects and potential residents.

The booklet was printed by California-based Windsor Publications and funded by advertising. It included a downtown businessman on its local team, Feran added.

The DMA shifted its criticism to Windsor Publications’ advertising rates. Vice President Ed Canon, Jr. called the arrangement “a racket.” Feran countered the rates were offset by high print costs and the booklet’s longevity justified the expense.

The Chamber said it will consult with the DMA before printing new pamphlets.