__100 years ago__
Nov. 15, 1923
• The Patterson Bank’s doors are closed today awaiting the arrival of a bank examiner from the office of the finance commissioner. In addition, officials throughout the area are searching for Clacy T. Kinder, the cashier who fled Wednesday, Nov. 14. Just how much the bank is short cannot be determined as yet, but one item alone is between $4,000 and $5,000. A hurried checkup of the bank is hoped for.
• A movement looking to the construction of a proper building for the Poplar Bluff Public Library was launched today when men from the Chamber of Commerce visited the library and inspected the facilities following the noon luncheon session. Chamber President Patterson announced at the conclusion of the luncheon that Mrs. J.L. Lindsay, librarian, had invited the Chamber members to visit the library and all were asked to join in the trip.
__75 years ago__
Nov. 15, 1948
• A few Butler County young men who have not bothered to report for physical examinations at the invitation of the Butler County Draft Board will have dates in the United State District Court after Dec. 1, the draft board announced this morning.
Ruth Smith, board clerk, said most of those summoned for examination for the armed forces had been pretty nice about showing up, but a few had overlooked reporting. She pointed out failure to report for induction is punishable by a $10,000 fine and/or five years in federal prison.
• The Merva plant of the International Shoe Company closed this morning for two weeks, as was previously announced in the Daily American Republic last week. J.H.C. Anderson, superintendent of the two local plants, said the Merva plant will resume operations Nov. 29. When it reopens, it will work a 40-hour, five-day week. As stated earlier, the Cedar plant will remain open.
__50 years ago__
Nov. 15, 1973
• The Butler County Sheriff’s Office reported stolen merchandise with a wholesale value of $1,261.94 was recovered this morning from an abandoned car at a farm off Highway F. Two Poplar Bluff youths, Melvin Hereford, 17, of the 700 block of Ash Street and Calvin Merritt, 17, of the 400 block of Karen Drive were take into custody by deputies Jerry Taylor and Bob Eastwood. The two have allegedly confessed to the thefts and prosecutor said the pair would be charged with grand stealing. The thefts reportedly occurred over a three-month stretch from an auto parts warehouse at 405 S. Fifth St.
• Mrs. Don Metz, Bloomfield elementary school librarian, was elected vice-president of the Missouri School Librarians Association at the annual meeting Friday, Nov. 9, in St. Louis. During 1974-75, Metz will assume the responsibilities of president of this group. Metz graduated from Southeast Missouri State University and previously served as an elementary librarian in the Ferguson-Florissant school district. She has been in the Bloomfield system for 2 1/2 years and lives in Bloomfield with her husband, Don, the Bloomfield High School basketball coach, and their son, Todd.