Looking Back 2/17

60 years ago

MATTHEWS - The Sikeston Bulldogs defeated the Matthews High School Pirates basketball team 39-3 in a game played at Matthews Tuesday night.

40 years ago

VIETNAM - The American GIs in Vietnam want their conversation at 50 or 60 plasters, and the bar girls would rather have it at 100 plasters. "We honestly think that's enough," said P.O. 2C Gene Nicholson of Sikeston. Nicholson said the GIs have named their loosely knit lobbying organization STIF - Saigon Tea is Fini. GIs buy the bar girls the tea and the bar girls talk, play tic-tac-toe or cards with the soldiers. The cost was 180 plasters a thimbleful; now it's 100 - around $1.40.

20 years ago

NEW MADRID - There are big plans being made here for the Fourth of July. The city agreed to work with the Chamber of Commerce in scheduling and coordinating events for a two-day Independence Day celebration, July 4-5.

10 years ago

NEW MADRID - Seventy-five seventh and eighth grade students from the New Madrid County R-1 elementary schools in Matthews, Lilbourn and New Madrid are members of the Honor Eagles choir. The students will perform with the high school's Singing Eagles, in a public performance set for Mar. 3. The students are under the direction of Judy Henry.

SIKESTON - Edward Patterson of Sikeston won $5,000 while playing a $1 red, white and blue slot machine. An accountant, he had only invested 15 minutes before winning Sam's Town Hotel and Gambling Hall in Tunica, Miss.

NEW MADRID - New Madrid County Clerk Jim W. Farrenburg stated that since 1986 New Madrid County has increased its total tax rate only 2 cents per $100 assessed valuation. The county will have a total of $7,360.929.97 available in revenue for the coming year.