May 14, 1923
The Globe-Democrat carried a description of a new electronic sound amplifier to be installed at the Muny Opera. The paper said this device brought the sound "all over the house and into the sylvan purlieus beyond."
May 13, 1804
"Be Prepared," William Clark wrote in his journal as he and the men made last minute preparations for pushing into the mouth of the Missouri.
May 11, 1824
St. Regis Seminary opened. This was the first Roman Catholic institution in America to be founded for the higher education of American Indians.
May 10, 1889
Three leaders of the Bald Knobbers were hanged on this day in Forsyth. The rope broke on one and he was taken back onto the scaffold and re-hanged. These vigilantes-gone-wild were the domestic terrorists described in The Shepherd of the Hills.
May 9, 1895
The little critters in the St. Louis drinking water were identified as a type of miniature crab. The Health Commissioner said that seeing them was actually a good thing. The water used to be so muddy that people couldn't see critters.
May 8, 1867
The Missouri Women's Suffrage Club was organized for the purpose of gaining the right to vote for women. It was the first organization in the world with women's suffrage as its sole objective.
May 7, 1974
The Gateway Arch welcomed its five-millionth visitor. It was a nine-year-old girl from Illinois. Among her special attendance prizes were a case of wine and some tickets to the Playboy Club.
May 4, 1876
A mass meeting called for the resignation of state lawmakers who favored the purchase of Forest Park. Opponents said that the park was too far from the city to be of any use and that it was just a playground for the rich.