100 years ago Nov. 17, 1923
• The first arrest in connection with the closing of the Patterson Bank and the disappearance of bank cashier Clacy T. Kinder was made Friday evening (Nov. 16). Piedmont druggist Elmer Black was arrested as an accessory after the fact after he allegedly helped Kinder — who is charged with embezzlement — flee the state. Black is being held on $8,000 bond.
• Dr. A.R. Rowe was elected president of the Butler County Medical Society at its meeting last night (Nov. 16) at the office of the society’s retiring president, Dr. J.R. Eure. Dr. H.M. Hendrickson was named vice-president, while Dr. L.B. Knecht was named secretary and treasurer and Dr. W.L. Brandon was named delegate to the State Medical Association convention in May. The society also voted to volunteer cooperation for the trachoma clinic when it visits Nov. 21-22.
75 years ago Nov. 17, 1948
• With approximately two-thirds of the Butler County cotton crop harvested, farmers and others benefiting have received something over $2.5 million in cash for this year’s efforts. The crop will bring in, when completed, well over $3 million, it was learned today from a reliable source. Ginnings in Butler County this year through Nov. 1 totaled 16,352 bales, as compared with 12,987 bales through Nov. 1, 1947.
• Thirty-three students answered Poplar Bluff High School boys basketball coach Ben Bidewell’s first call for basketball practice Monday, Nov. 15. Among those 33 were returning lettermen Bob Manns, John Worley and Ronnie Case, and 11 current Mules football players.
Bidewell, who is in his first season as head basketball coach, played three seasons of college basketball at Southeast Missouri State and finished his collegiate career at Missouri after World War II.
50 years ago Nov. 17, 1973
• Reinell Boats officials informed 128 of its roughly 350 employees — more than one-third of the workforce at its Poplar Bluff factory — they were being laid off because of a shortage of polyester resin, a raw material vital in the construction of boats. Polyester resin consists of 43% styrene, which is in short supply because of natural gas and crude oil shortages during the energy crisis.
• The Fox Warriors scored three second-half touchdowns to defeat Poplar Bluff 20-0 last night (Nov. 16) and deny the Mules their first-ever high school football playoff berth. Fox led the Mules 6-0 going to the fourth quarter, but scored twice down the stretch to pull away. With the loss, Poplar Bluff finished the season 7-3, but won the SEMO North Conference title.