Oct. 14, 1923 and Oct. 14, 1973 — No editions available .
__Oct. 14, 1948__
• A Poplar Bluff man was feared to have committed suicide in the St. Louis area, but was found safe today.
The story began when a man was reported to have jumped from the Eads bridge in St. Louis and a signed note was allegedly found on the bridge. The note puportedly was signed by Lloyd Hornbeck of Poplar Bluff and addressed to his wife Martha.
However, the Hornbecks both were located today, meaning the note was written by someone else.
• The United States Weather Bureau reports today was officially the beginning of Indian summer. In the Poplar Bluff area, the forests are a riot of color. A few early frosts have helped to bring out the brilliance of autumn foliage and brought the golden gleam of persimmons and the deep purple of wild grapes into the open. Black gum trees flash as brilliant scarlet from every hillside and blend with the brilliant yellows and reds of maples, elms and oaks.
__Oct. 15, 1923__
• A 67-year-old woman was killed and four were injured in an automobile accident at 10 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 14, on the Little Rock Highway about two miles south of Poplar Bluff, about 500 feet north of the bridge which crosses Pike Slough.
Mrs. Bitha Ward, 67, was killed instantly, while her daughter, Mrs. S.L. Marshall, suffered a fractured skull and is in critical condition at the Brandon Hospital on Main Street. Mrs. Armanda Smith, 18, also was badly hurt, while Mrs. Mabel Eldridge and her eight-month-old daughter escaped with minor injuries.
The accident is believed to have occurred when Marshall was traveling at a high rate of speed and turned too sharply to the left on a curve approaching the bridge.
__Oct. 15, 1948__
• Despite Poplar Bluff Mayor Clyde Richardson tendering his resignation back in the summer, his resignation has yet to be accepted, but the Poplar Bluff City Council might take up his resignation at its next meeting. Arch Bartlett, mayor pro tem, has been serving at council meetings in Richardson’s place and acting as mayor in the meantime.
• The Connie Shop, Poplar Bluff’s newest shoe store, will formally open Saturday, Oct. 16, at 115 S. Main St. John Slayden, a veteran of the shoe business, is the store’s manager and will be assisted by his wife, who is in charge of the hosiery department, and clerks Bob Bright and James Riley.
__Oct. 15, 1973__
• According to figures from the Standard Rate and Data Service, gross farm income in Butler County in 1972 came to $18.4 million, a 17.9% increase over 1971, when it was $14.435 million. Data from the Department of Agriculture showed that approximately 75% of that income came from the sale of crops and the remainder from marketings of livestock, poultry and dairy products.
• Richard McNece, director of the Butler County Health Center, remains in critical condition at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. McNece was injured in a crash Wednesday, Oct. 10, when his motorcycle struck the side of a vehicle after it pulled out in front of him.
__Oct. 16. 1923__
• The 89th annual convention of the Missouri General Baptist Association opened in Poplar Bluff this morning, and indications are that it will be one of the most successful state meetings in the organization’s history. Rev. O.L. Spurgeon, pastor of First Baptist Church, gave the welcome address, while other speakers included Rev. D.W. Jones of Doniphan, who spoke on the afternoon on the topic of “Stewardship in Country Church.”
• In an an update to the Oct. 15, 1923, story on an automobile accident south of Poplar Bluff, it was reported that “there is a fighting chance that (Mrs. S.L. Marshall) will recover,” according to a physician. Marshall suffered a fractured skull, crushed chest and shoulder and a broken wrist in the crash. Mrs. Armanda Smith, who also was injured in the crash, is believed out of danger, according to the Brandon Hospital.
__Oct. 16, 1948__
• Twenty-five members of the Missouri Outdoor Writers Association, their wives and other guests received a damp welcome upon their arrival in Poplar Bluff last night (Oct. 15) for a two-day meeting. Dr. Z. Lee Stokely, editor of Random Shots and Casts, today is leading the writers on a tour of the Ozarks. The first stop was slated to be in Doniphan, with other stops scheduled in Oregon County and Big Spring before returning to Poplar Bluff tonight.
• Ralph Richardson, Robert Richardson and L.D. Shaw, were found guilty yesterday afternoon (Oct. 15) of violating a city ordinance by blocking a driveway at Roenick’s garage last Sept. 15, and specifically with having interfered with the passage of A.A. Raulston.
Ralph Richardson was fined $25, while the others were each fined $10, all in addition to court costs.
__Oct. 16, 1973__
• The Poplar Bluff City Council heard an appeal last night (Oct. 15) from Safe-Way Ambulance Co. owner Bob Flota. He is requesting a city subsidy to augment his firm. Flota, who has had an ambulance business in Poplar Bluff for about two years, told the council he no longer can provide ambulance service with his present income and comply with new state regulations.
• The Missouri Highway Commission has rejected the apparent low bid on the traffic signal project at the intersection of Westwood Boulevard and Maud Street, Poplar Bluff city manager David Pence confirmed today.
The Missouri Petroleum Products Co. of St. Louis submitted the lowest bid — $295,223 — which is more than $45,000 higher than the estimated cost of the project said. The project will be put out for bids in November.