Poplar Bluff men are encouraged to shave like it’s 1849 in preparations for Butler County’s centennial celebration. Other headlines from decades past reveal a string of safe-cracking robberies and a farmer’s theatrical business venture.
Saturday
100 years ago
May 4, 1924 — No issues available.
75 years ago
May 4, 1949
• Poplar Bluff’s Chevrolet dealership is the latest victim in a regional string of safe robberies.
Employees of the Allen Garner Chevrolet Company discovered their safe broken open and cleared of around $300 this morning. However, the burglars left over $2,000 in checks and several valuable documents untouched.
Authorities found no fingerprints at the scene, and the suspects used a drill from the dealership’s garage to break the safe. Police believe this is the latest in a week-long string of professional safe robberies at businesses from Northeast Arkansas to Southeast Missouri.
The only lead so far is a report of two men loitering around the garage the previous afternoon.
50 years ago
May 4, 1974
• The Missouri State Highway Commission approved multiple road improvements in Southeast Missouri today.
Poplar Bluff will gain new bridges across the Black River and the Missouri Pacific railroad. Highways 60 and 53 in Butler County will also be improved with resurfacing, lights and train crossing signals.
Other projects include new bridges in Ripley County, resurfaced highways in Stoddard County, and lighting and paving improvements in Dunklin County.
The statewide road improvement price tag is $215 million. Work may start as late as next year in some areas.
Sunday
100 years ago
May 5, 1924
• Electric lighting has come to Essex. The Union Electric Light & Power Company officially turned the lights on during the last 48 hours and are expected to complete installing transmission lines by May 7. The next town on their schedule is Bernie.
75 years ago
May 5, 1949
• Decades before No-Shave November was a trend, Poplar Bluff’s Rotary Club decreed all men must grow some “facial vegetation” in honor of Butler County’s upcoming centennial celebration.
“If you have a face that not even a mother could love, now is your chance to hide it. If you have nurtured the passion to sport a goatee like a Kentucky colonel, go ahead and start it,” the article urges.
Though all in good fun, failure to grow a beard — or at least try — is punishable by a light fine to help pay centennial expenses. Permits to shave can be purchased by those in dire need of a clean face.
Women will also channel their inner pioneer. If a man grows a beard over an inch long, the lady of the house is asked to sport a sunbonnet and old-fashioned dress to match.
May 5, 1974 — No issues available.
Monday
100 years ago
May 6, 1924
• A farmer from Beaver Dam Township is selling everything to open a new cinema in Poplar Bluff.
E.S. Sheppard announced his vision for the new movie theater today. He is closing sales on his farm equipment and livestock on May 15, and by May 20 he plans to open the Princess Theatre on South Fourth Street.
75 years ago
May 6, 1949
• Today, Poplar Bluff officials announced major changes to city traffic are coming soon, in hopes of alleviating congestion caused by work on Pine Boulevard.
Cars entering the city on highways 60 and 67 will be redirected to Main and Vine streets, and stop signs at several downtown intersections will be moved to allow traffic to progress more smoothly on those streets. Parking meters will be deactivated for several blocks and no parking signs installed.
Contractors believe the Pine Boulevard improvements will be finished by the end of the month.
50 years ago
May 6, 1974
• A child in Kennett fatally shot his father last night during a domestic assault.
W.W. Champlin, 39, of Kennett was reportedly beating his wife, Christine, and their daughter while drunk. His 12-year-old son ended the attack by shooting him with a .410-gauge shotgun.