Major water system upgrades are in the works in 1974, from new city sewers to expanding pipelines southward into rural Butler County. Also on this date a century ago, Poplar Bluff’s first Boy Scout troop met.
100 years ago
April 30, 1924
• Poplar Bluff has its first Boy Scout troop, organized by Scout Field Executive J.K. Montieth. Its first meeting was attended last night by 25 boys, 14 of whom signed up to join, and scoutmaster William E. Clark was appointed. Clark is the commercial manager of the Southwestern Bell Telephone Company and has prior experience in scouting, teaching and coaching.
75 years ago
April 30, 1949
• State troopers fear a delivery driver loaded with cash may have met with foul play in Poplar Bluff, and are asking the public for help in locating him.
Paul Ritchie, a 50-year-old driver for North American Van Lines, stopped on April 27 en route to Ohio and Chicago with a cargo of furniture. He left his truck at a garage for repairs and called a cab to take him to the bank so he could cash a check. He never returned to claim his truck.
The San Antonio native has a good reputation with his company and local furniture dealers, and is believed to have had around $400 on him at the time of his disappearance.
50 years ago
April 30, 1974
• Inflation, material costs and more stringent guidelines increased a $900,000 sewer project to $1.6 million, but Poplar Bluff is receiving extra grant money to offset the costs.
The city is providing sewers for neighborhoods on Barron Road and Highway 67 North. Poplar Bluff just received an extra $247,500 from the Missouri Clean Water Commission, and City Manager David Pence said the city has adequate funding to cover its share. Poplar Bluff was originally set to pay 50% of the price tag but this number was cut to 10%. The remainder is covered by the Environmental Protection Agency and MCWC.
The new city sewers and a treatment plant will serve a 270-acre area with over 100 residences and dozens of businesses and churches. The area was annexed into city limits over a decade prior.
• In more infrastructure news, Public Water Supply District No. 1 has received a loan and grant to build a water system in the rural southern area of Butler County. Around 735 homes will be served by the new system.