August 15, 1953
The first of nearly a dozen cobras was found in a yard not far from a pet shop on St. Louis Street in Springfield. For two and half months, more of the venomous snakes were spotted. It was a mystery for 35 years until a man finally came clean, admitting that he released a cage full of snakes behind the pet store as revenge against the store owner. The man said he thought the snakes were harmless. The incident left such a stir that the city seal of Springfield has a cobra on it.
Based upon content from the book Missouri 365: This Day in Missouri History by John W. Brown, broadcaster and Missouri historian. Get your copy at Reedy Press.
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On this date in Missouri history in 1937, the final trolley car parade took Springfield residents across the city one last time before the trolleys were retired.
August 15, 1904
76 year old Geronimo was roping calves at the World's Fair on this day. He did very well and got a good round of applause from the audience.
August 15, 1791
Duff Green was born on this date. Green founded the towns of Chariton and Bluffton, and established the first stage line west of the Mississippi. He was a teacher, lawyer, and the owner and editor of the St. Louis Enquirer, Missouri’s second newspaper.