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Train derailment rips up tracks in Wayne County

History

February 6

Train derailment rips up tracks in Wayne CountyA derailment of unknown cause ripped up several hundred yards of track in Wayne County on this day in 1975. Most of the train cars were empty and no one was hurt. Civic growth and a closing nursing home dominated other headlines.

Samantha Tucker

1975: Happy birthday from the horse's mouth

February 7

1975: Happy birthday from the horse's mouth

Samantha Tucker

Poplar Bluff faces fiery debate: the battle over Butler County's fire district reduction

February 5

Poplar Bluff faces fiery debate: the battle over Butler County's fire district reduction Poplar Bluff's history of health and safety debates resurfaces as Butler County faces a controversial fire district reduction. A judge will decide the fate after residents' petitions and board disagreements.

Love, loss, and legal battles: the intertwining tales of two family shootings

February 4

Love, loss, and legal battles: the intertwining tales of two family shootingsTwo family shootings, 50 years apart, reveal tales of love, loss, and legal battles. One man hopes for reconciliation after being shot, while another faces trial for murder in a suspected love triangle.

Fire and ice: Puxico burns and Bootheel freezes

February 1

Fire and ice: Puxico burns and Bootheel freezes In 1925, a fire ravaged Puxico's business district, prompting a swift rebuild. By 1950, a severe ice storm crippled Poplar Bluff, causing widespread damage and power outages. Despite these disasters, communities showed remarkable recovery and determination.

Samantha Tucker

Acquittal in 1925 followed by an armed standoff in 1975

January 30

Acquittal in 1925 followed by an armed standoff in 1975The trial, appeal and retrial of a Butler County farmer finally ended in acquittal on this day in 1925. In 1975, law enforcement made the front page again when a family started an armed standoff over a repo order.

Samantha Tucker

From moonshiner to fugitive: The daring escapes of Hammie Shane in 1925

January 29

From moonshiner to fugitive: The daring escapes of Hammie Shane in 1925In 1925, notorious moonshiner and escapee Hammie Shane outsmarted lawmen with daring escapes and a bulletproof jacket. Decades later, a 1975 kidnapping in Missouri was thwarted by bad driving and car trouble.

Samantha Tucker

Traffic surge in 1925: How a six-month-old highway became a safety concern

January 28

Traffic surge in 1925: How a six-month-old highway became a safety concern In 1925, a new highway saw a dramatic increase in traffic, raising safety concerns at key crossings. Decades later, headlines shifted to high-speed chases and basketball victories in Poplar Bluff.

Samantha Tucker

1975: Bridge plans sink fast due to permit confusion

January 25

1975: Bridge plans sink fast due to permit confusionA new crossing meant to provide a safer, faster way for farmers to cross the Black River met with an unanticipated obstacle in 1975: Coast Guard approval. Other news from this weekend's headlines included crimes, agricultural statistics, and a radio panic.

Samantha Tucker

Solar eclipse darkens morning sky in 1925

January 24

Solar eclipse darkens morning sky in 1925In 1925, an 85% solar eclipse captivated Southeast Missouri, halting work as people viewed it. Meanwhile, stories from 1950 and 1975 highlight a railway accident and clay mine expansion.

Samantha Tucker

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