100 years ago
Dec. 14, 1923
• The Victory Republican Club completed its organization last night (Dec. 13) at a meeting held at the American Legion club rooms over the Bee Hive Store on Broadway. It was noted quite a few of the men in the meeting were legionnaires. The name “Victory” was given to the club as it means the firm intention to win in the coming campaigns. Byron Kearbey has been elected club chairman, while Claude Brown is vice-chairman, O.A. Tedrick is secretary and Edmund Hogg is treasurer.
• George W. Davis of 128 S. B St. was elected last night (Dec. 13) to head Orion Lodge No. 59 of the Knights of Pythias. He succeeds Harry A. Buschmann, who officiated efficiently and popularly the past year. Other new officers elected were Lester Massingham, Master of Arms; Charles Cox, Inner Guard; and Burr Langley, Outer Guard.
75 years ago
Dec. 14, 1948
• The Poplar Bluff City Council must adopt an ordinance requiring use of parking meters before citizens have to put a nickel in them. Although the council signed a contract with the parking meter manufacturers for installation of the equipment, no ordinance has been adopted requiring their use by motorists. It is assumed such action will be taken soon, possibly at the council’s next meeting on Dec. 20, if the meters are installed by then
• Butler County’s school districts received $32,358.40 from the state today as their share of the extra school teacher’s fund appropriated by the last legislature, with Butler County treasurer Otis Hays receiving the check. Poplar Bluff teachers will receive $9.985.65 as their share of that money
50 years ago
Dec. 14, 1973
• A Silva man charged with first-degree murder in a 1971 shooting incident will be tried in Butler County Circuit Court in January. Circuit Judge Rex Henson will hear the case in Poplar Bluff on Jan. 16, a defense attorney confirmed today.
Virgil E. Bainter Jr., 25, of Silva is accused of shooting Alvin Charles Bolin on March 26, 1971, at the Bainter home on Highway K north of Silva. Bolin’s brother, Robert John Bolin Jr., also was killed in the incident, which escalated after one of the Bolins allegedly pulled a knife.
• Don Clayton, former star for the Malden Green Wave football team and a star performer at Murray State University, has been named to the Kodak College Division I All-America team. The team was picked by the American Football Coaches Association. Clayton, who rushed for 1,403 yards this season, is one of just three juniors on the team.
Editor’s note: Clayton later returned to Malden and coached the Green Wave to a district title in 1988.