__100 years ago__
Nov. 30, 1923
• Poplar Bluff had a distinguished visitor yesterday (Nov. 29) in Army Col. John H. “Gatling Gun” Parker, commander of the Seventh Corps Area, which includes eight states. He was the guest of Dr. and Mrs. J.L. Lindsay. Parker said he was gratified with the results of the recruiting work done since Dr. Lindsay, a civilian reserve officer, took over the work here.
• A circuit court jury gave farmer Elva Sneathern a judgment of $125 on his counter-claim against Sam Sheppard. The suit was instituted by Sheppard to collect the unpaid balance of $120 on a promissory note. Sneathern filed a counter-claim alleging one of the horses he purchased from Sheppard with the note was not as represented and frequently had fits.
__75 years ago__
Nov. 30, 1948
• A little forgetfulness ruined a good dinner for Mrs. Janie Eichelberger of 1009 N. Main St. about 10 a.m. today. According to firemen who answered the call, Mrs. Eichelberger had placed a cooking of pig’s feet on the stove and then left, forgetting them. The dinner reportedly overheated and caught fire and firemen extinguished the blaze. There is some water damage to the kitchen.
• Workmen started installing Christmas lights and decorations yesterday morning (Nov. 29) along downtown streets, said Harold Lacy, chairman of the Jaycees committee in charge. Lacy said it is hoped the work will be completed in time to turn on the lights Saturday night (Dec. 4).
__50 years ago__
Nov. 30, 1973
• An anonymous donor has given Three Rivers Community College a gift of $60,000, it was announced yesterday (Nov. 29) by college president Dr. H. Tudor Westover. Final details of the gift, the first such major contribution to TRCC, were completed by Ben Bidewell, a former TRCC trustee who is chairman of the college’s Growth and Development Committee; and attorney Jasper Edmundson, who also serves on the committee and represents the donor as trustee for the charitable remainder trust.
• Final preparations are underway for the 17th annual Bloomfield Christmas Tournament, which takes place Dec. 20-21 and 26-28. According to Bloomfield High School principal, coaches will meet on Dec. 8 to seed the tournament. Officials for this year’s tournament will be Roger Baldwin, Buddy Godwin, Bob Johnson, Carl Townsend and Fred Ritter. Among the schools in this year’s tournament are Poplar Bluff, Bernie, Dexter, Clarkton, Puxico, Neelyville and Sikeston.