Two unique exhibits are highlighted on today’s date: a mobile museum on the rails, and a world of mechanical miniatures. In crime news, six Malden residents are arrested in 1974 for burglaries in eight states, and a seventh is on the run.
100 years ago
March 15, 1924
• Two mobile museums are riding the rails through Southeast Missouri. The Cotton Special recently wrapped up its exhibit in Poplar Bluff, including rail cars full of exhibits and a special film screening at the Lyceum Theater. It’s followed today by the Agriculture Progress Special, a five-car museum of farming and livestock husbandry exhibits. Both trains are sponsored by Missouri Pacific.
Officials said the primary goal of the train was to encourage agricultural prosperity, which also benefits the railroads, and help farmers prevent boll weevil infestations. A state-of-the-art boll weevil exterminator, the Niagara dusting machine, was on prominent display. It has eight arms to spray cotton plants from all angles and can save 75% of an infested field.
One car is devoted to the University of Missouri Extension, and another is a rolling movie theater with educational shows.
The trains’ itineraries include communities across the south and mid-south.
75 years ago
March 15, 1949
• A one-of-a-kind farm grows on Highway 67. Joe Teska is the creator of a miniature homestead and village so sprawling it needs two trucks and house trailers to haul, and for the last two years, he and his family have parked it in Poplar Bluff for the winter.
Teska is originally from Minnesota, where he worked as a mechanic and repairman. He carved miniatures in his spare time, which inspired his model world. He’s exhibited the “Working Village” at circuses, department stores and more in the U.S. and Canada for 27 years.
At 40 by 15 feet when assembled, it’s the largest miniature exhibit in the country and includes $50,000 worth of models and equipment. Each of the 7,000 handmade figures is mobile thanks to motors hidden under the displays. Bob Stanard with the Daily American Republic reported: “Ducks swim, hunters raise shotguns, oil derricks operate, cocks fight, horses pull wagons, a windmill turns, cows graze, deer run through the woods.” Tickets to view it cost 10 to 20 cents.
Teska said Poplar Bluff’s location and facilities make it ideal for overwintering. He and his family will start their 1949 season with a show in town on April 1.
50 years ago
March 15, 1974
• Seven Malden residents are charged in connection with burglaries in eight states.
The accused are Dwight Butler, 30; Herman Dunn, 20; husband and wife Jerry and Gayla Cluck, 28 and 21; siblings Barbara and Larry Skaggs, ages 18 and 17; and Leonard Little, no age given.
According to Troop E Missouri State Highway Patrol Cpl. Bennie Rapert, the arrests came after a break in their months-long investigation when Jerry Cluck and Little were pulled over for drunk driving by Kentucky highway patrol. Both men fled on foot, but Jerry Cluck was apprehended. The troopers discovered Little’s vehicle had been stolen in Tennessee, and further investigation revealed enough evidence to charge Gayla Cluck and the Skaggs siblings in connection to the theft as well as other crimes in Missouri. Butler and Dunn were arrested for burglaries in Dexter.
Stolen merchandise recovered could also link them to thefts in Delaware, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Kentucky and Illinois.
The Clucks and Skaggs have been extradited to Tennessee while Butler and Dunn face charges in Missouri. Authorities are still searching for Little.
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