Tornadoes tear across the region in 1924, destroying barns, homes and utilities. Population centers like Poplar Bluff and Sikeston were largely spared while rural Stoddard and Scott counties bore most of nature’s fury.
100 years ago
March 29, 1924
• A massive storm system spawned tornadoes in Southeast Missouri, Western Kentucky and Southern Illinois last night. The death toll reported in the morning is four.
Scott County’s farms were hard hit by the storm. At least one hundred barns were wrecked, and many homes also lie in ruins. One family survived their house flipping three times. Meanwhile, the city of Sikeston escaped with minor damage, though its electrical lines from both Poplar Bluff and Cape Girardeau are down. Repairs are underway and damage is lighter on the Poplar Bluff side.
In Stoddard County, the tornado touched down near Bernie and destroyed homes, barns and livestock. A 12-year-old boy was killed.
Poplar Bluff and Elsinore were largely spared damage.
• The Plaza Hotel and Cafe forked over $2,500 in damages last week, and now a new plaintiff is suing on the same grounds: food poisoning. Margaret Davis, owner of the Powder Puff Beauty Parlor in Poplar Bluff, requests $7,500 after allegedly being poisoned by a club sandwich on March 16.
The Plaza has a rancid record of food quality. Besides the two lawsuits against the restaurant this year, a Poplar Bluff man was awarded $1,000 in damages in 1923.
75 years ago
March 29, 1949
• Mules students and alumni will battle it out for new bleachers. The 50-cent admission price to Friday night’s football game is slated to add seating to the east side of the stadium.
50 years ago
March 29, 1974
• A large local employer is moving from downtown to the Poplar Bluff Industrial Park to keep pace with its growth. Smiley Container Company currently operates out of three downtown buildings, one of which is leased. Building a new facility in the Industrial Park will take the company from 100,000 square feet to 150,000.
Smiley is owned by Ward Paper Box Company in Kansas City and employs around 235 people. It manufactures heart-shaped Valentine’s Day candy boxes for Russel Stover, Brach and other candy companies.
The city is selling the proposed factory site to Smiley and intends to use the money to extend streets, utilities and a section of railroad.
Plans for the move were announced at a Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce meeting last night.