This week's Springfield historical headlines: 1925 & 1975

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Springfield’s historical narrative traces back to the early 1800s, intricately weaving a collection of significant events that span two centuries.

Here's an exploration of intriguing headlines and stories from this week, but with a twist – they’re from a century ago, meticulously preserved by the History Museum on the Square.

July 1925

• A system of interstate roads called United States Highways was created in Washington today.
• A new commissioning company takes over management of the Horse and Mule Barn at the Stockyards and expects to move 7,500 animals in their first year.

July 1975

• Jerry Clower is to appear today at the Ozark Empire Fair with Barbara Mandrell tomorrow.
• Arthurine Duncan is crowned Miss Silver Springs at the 21st Annual Park Day.
• Talks with downtown businesses regarding the new free parking plan are underway.
• A $200,000 reward was set for information regarding Jimmy Hoffa's whereabouts.
  • Hoffa disappeared on Wednesday, July 30, 1975. His case is still unsolved.
• City Council will tour the proposed route for the James River Expressway and the Kansas Expressway.

Now showing in 1925

Jefferson-Princess Theatre - The Beloved Brute

Chafing under his dying father's prediction that he is just a fighter without a soul who someday will be beaten by his long-lost brother, brutish Charles Hinges heads west with Jacinta, a dance hall girl, and Augustina, a fortune-teller. They tour frontier towns, with Charles taking on all challengers in no-holds-barred wrestling matches. Charles is undefeated until he engages his brother, David, the town reformer. In his humiliation, Charles feels he has finally found his soul. Fearing that Jacinta admires him only for his strength, he sends her to David. Meanwhile, Jacinta has been the object of the unwelcome attentions of China Jones. Jones is killed, and saloon keeper Phil Beason fastens the blame on David, who is about to be lynched when Charles claims the guilt. Jacinta saves both brothers from the rope with the timely arrival of a posse and Augustina's confession to Jones's murder. Charles reveals himself to David and is reunited with Jacinta.

Electric Theatre- Lost a Wife

Compulsive gambler Tony Hamilton bets his friend Dick $5,000 that he will marry Charlotte Randolph, despite the fact that she is a total stranger and is engaged to the Duke de Val. Tony wins his bet. During the honeymoon, Tony obtains Charlotte's permission to spend 10 minutes at roulette, and, after he has been gambling non-stop for 3 days, she returns to her mother and obtains a divorce. A year passes. Tony learns that Charlotte is about to marry a wealthy baron; he returns to France but is too late to prevent the marriage. Tony stages an automobile accident in front of Charlotte's mansion, and her servants carry him into the house. He hides in her room and gives her 5 minutes to decide whether to elope with him or face a public scandal. She insists that he prefers gambling to love, but he convinces her otherwise; and they take leave of the baronial mansion, once again to face the divorce court and the alter.