In July 1974, Poplar Bluff residents protested a proposed natural gas rate hike. In today’s news, those protests paid off, and the increase is slashed in half. The headlines on this date also included the first discussions of a local airport, and the Daily American Republic’s measures to protect paper carriers from dog attacks.
100 years ago
August 20, 1924
• The Butler County Fair has an aviation theme this year. Visitors will see commercial and military planes, aviation stunts and more — and while the mood flies high, St. Louis delegates will encourage Poplar Bluff to construct its own airport.
“Poplar Bluff is the logical airport in Southeast Missouri for the traffic between St. Louis and Memphis and Little Rock,” the Poplar Bluff Interstate American reported.
President Harold M. Bixby of the St. Louis Chamber of Commerce will be the principal speaker on “aviation day,” Sept. 9. His goal is to “crystallize the sentiment here for a flying field.”
The Air Squadron of the National Guard will also appear. The military is reportedly interested in using the potential air field.
75 years ago
August 20, 1949
• The Daily American Republic is discontinuing service to houses with free-roaming, aggressive dogs after a paperboy was attacked this morning.
Carroll Waddell, 13, was seriously injured by two dogs at a house on North Grand Avenue. The dogs bit Waddell on the legs and arm as he approached the house to make his weekly newspaper collection. He received several stitches and an anti-tetanus shot.
Neighbors said the dogs were habitually aggressive and had attacked before.
The dogs were described as “mongrels” — or mutts — by officers. The were impounded by animal control and will be kept under observation for rabies symptoms over the next week and a half. Waddell will get anti-rabies treatments if needed.
The DAR noted this incident is the latest in a trend of “trouble with bad dogs in recent months.” Newsboys will no longer deliver to subscribers who refuse to contain their aggressive canines.
50 years ago
Aug. 20, 1974
• After protest by Poplar Bluff residents, a proposed natural gas price hike was cut in half.
Laclede Gas Co. presented a tentative settlement to the Public Service Commission yesterday for a 3% price increase to residential Missouri customers and a slightly higher one to industrial consumers. In dollars and cents, City Counselor David Keathley explained residents will see a 50-cent increase on their monthly bills.
Laclede lowered the proposed rate hike after a public city hearing on July 18 where eight residents alleged Poplar Bluff’s rates were already higher than other Laclede districts.