School just started, but high school football teams have already spent weeks preparing for the new season. The Poplar Bluff Mules are no exception, and neither are the Mules of 1949 and 1974. The Daily American Republic thanks reader Ed Lewis for submitting the 1949 team portrait.
100 years ago
Aug. 21, 1924
• The Missouri Pacific Railway announced plans to discontinue several trains running through Poplar Bluff, Dexter and Doniphan. All cities are filing objections, and the Poplar Bluff Chamber of Commerce encouraged all city businessmen to accompany it with a meeting with railway officials tomorrow.
The trains in question all make daily runs through town: two on the Cairo Branch, one to Doniphan, and one to Helena, Arkansas, nicknamed the Pollywog.
“With the discontinuance of the Cairo Branch trains, a large percent of the trade brought to Poplar Bluff each day would be eliminated. Many people come here from points along the Cairo Branch, do their trading and return to their homes in the afternoon,” said The Daily Republican.
The Pollywog takes many businessmen out of Poplar Bluff.
Plans to discontinue these trains are tentative, according to sources, and possibly due to competition from improved highway systems.
The Poplar Bluff Interstate American noted at least one train would still run to St. Louis, but losing the Pollywog would curtail southern travel.
75 years ago
Aug. 21, 1949
• No issues are available today, but a generous reader provided his own look back in time: Ed Lewis of the Poplar Bluff High School Class of 1953 provided a portrait of the 1949 Mules team. Lewis was a freshman and wasn’t picked for this team, but fulfilled his gridiron dreams the next year.
50 years ago
Aug. 21, 1974
• The 1974 Mules football team was photographed during a practice in Bacon Park. Drills were held twice daily in preparation for the season opener on Sept. 6 against Fox High School in Arnold. Team members mentioned in print were Ray Stewart, Tim Pence, Bobby Graham, John Casey and Scott Harrell. Coaches were Dennis Meyr and Bill Caputo.