In 1924, farmers have the chance to get payback against troublesome tree stumps in their fields by blowing them sky-high with leftover military explosives. The same day, a pollution investigation into an iron ore plant on the Black River is announced — however, the Butler County residents who called for the investigation are also prioritizing the company by urging authorities not to take legal action.
100 years ago
May 8, 1924
• The best way to deal with pesky tree stumps is military explosives.
Butler County farmers are invited to a hands-on demonstration to learn the proper handling and use of sodatol, an explosive compound made from TNT left over from the First World War. The Daily Republican reported agents of the Missouri College of Agriculture are leading the class, with the goal of showing farmers how to get more bang for their buck as sodatol supplies dwindle. The explosive is primarily used to remove stumps from fields.
Demonstrations will be held at farms near Oakvale, Qulin and Baskey on May 19-21.
• City and county residents have called for an investigation into an iron company’s pollution of the Black River, but insist they want no legal action taken.
Deputy State Game Wardens are investigating claims that a Keener industrial plant regularly dumps wastewater into the Black River, killing fish. They found the company did indeed pour water used in washing iron ore back into the river, which “would cause the river to be dingy for several miles south of Keener,” according to The Daily Republican. Water samples are being sent to the University of Missouri to determine whether it is harmful to fish or people.
The petition was started by Dr. Barnett of the county’s board of health. About 50 residents and business owners signed it, but advised the wardens not to take legal action against the company, “since a majority of the sportsmen here would rather see all the fish killed than to have mining operations at Keener stopped.”
75 years ago
May 8, 1949 — No issues available.
50 years ago
May 8, 1974
• The Mules captured both divisions of a track meet with Sikeston and Doniphan yesterday. Poplar Bluff’s varsity track team beat Sikeston 96-25, and the junior varsity team won 77-60, also against Sikeston. Doniphan came in third in both divisions. Events included relays, hurdles, discus tosses, pole vaults and high jumps.
• Due to the continuing energy crisis, a federal speed limit of 55 mph was instituted on American highways earlier this year to conserve fuel. A survey by the Associated Press found many Missouri drivers are staying at or below that limit — an AP reporter on a 100-mile trip reported at 55 mph he passed more than 30 vehicles and was passed by only 17.
In addition to conserving gasoline, the speed limit cut fatal accidents have been in half, with 233 deaths between Jan. 1-April 29, 1974, compared to 418 during that period in 1973.