January 3, 1903
A merchant in Ozark County reported that the drought had destroyed the grain and vegetable crops and some families were “subsisting almost entirely upon acorns.”
This post was contributed by Ross Malone. A historian and a retired school teacher, Ross has authored many books about Missouri’s history, weird facts, and folk tales. He has also written children’s historical fiction. Visit his website, and buy his books in the Missouri Life store.
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January 2, 1932
In Brookline near Springfield, the Young Gang shot six police officers dead. Six gang members were involved as well as two other gunmen. One of those was believed to be “Pretty Boy Floyd.” When finally cornered, the gang shot themselves rather than surrender.
January 1, 1939
Landlords in Butler, Pemiscot, New Madrid, and Dunklin counties evicted hundreds of sharecroppers (black and white) who then moved their possessions onto the roadways of Highways 60 and 61.
January 24, 1903
A shootout occurred in Union, Missouri following the robbing of the Union Bank. A posse of citizens followed the robbers on horseback, and Pinkerton detectives and doctors were rushed by train from St. Louis to care for those in need.