Welcome to The St. Louis Newsletter!

In today’s edition:

• St. Louis population decline

• Upcoming St. Louis Blues home game

• A deep-dive into the life of William S. Burroughs

• And more…

Quote of the Week

“Courage is never to let your actions be influenced by your fears.”

— Arthur Koestler

Trivia

Here is your trivia question of the week. The answer will be shown in next week’s newsletter. Which do you think it is? No cheating!

What significant historical event took place at the Old Courthouse in downtown St. Louis?

A) Signing of the Louisiana Purchase

B) Dred Scott case decision

C) First Olympic Games in the United States

D) Lewis and Clark expedition departure

Answer to Last Week’s Trivia:

B) Saint Louis University is the oldest university west of the Mississippi River.

News

💼 Business

Edward Jones' CEO nabs 17% pay raise as 2023 income jumps. (Link)

U.S. Steel must remain 'domestically owned and operated,' President Joe Biden says (Link)

League that includes Battlehawks to host championship game in St. Louis (Link)

🏒 Sports

Blues prospect Zach Dean discussed his NHL call-up and playing style during an interview with The Athletic amidst the team's 5-1 win over Boston. (Link)

Nearly a quarter of NHL players (245 of 965) now have trade protection, marking a 44.1% increase over six seasons. (Link)

Lars Nootbaar and Tommy Edman are placed on the injured list due to mounting outfield injuries for the St. Louis Cardinals. (Link)

🏦 Finance

St. Louis's goal to gain thousands of new residents falters as the population continues to dwindle. (Link)

St. Louis public company proposes stock split amid NYSE delisting warning. (Link)

Upcoming Events

Here are some events that are happening in our city this week. There is a good mix between sports, entertainment, conferences, concerts, and more.

Sports

🏒 St. Louis Blues vs. Colorado Avalanche
Enterprise Center, St Louis
Tuesday, Mar. 19th | (More info)

⚽ St. Louis City SC vs. D.C. United
Citypark - St. Louis
Saturday, Mar. 23rd | (More info)

Music & Concerts

🎸 Black Flag
Red Flag, St Louis
Tuesday, Mar. 19th | (More info)

🎸 Death Lens
Blueberry Hill Duck Room, St Louis
Tuesday, Mar. 19th | (More info)

🎷 Anat Cohen
Jazz St. Louis, St Louis
Wednesday, Mar. 20th | (More info)

🎸 Shovels & Rope
Off Broadway, St Louis
Thursday, Mar. 21st | (More info)

🎻 Sierra Hull
The Sheldon, St Louis
Thursday, Mar. 21st | (More info)

Family

🐣 The Great Easter Egg Hunt 2024
8374 Midland Boulevard, St. Louis
Saturday, Mar. 23rd | (More info)

Image of the Week

Every week, I have a habit of making some AI art about our city.

This week, I typed in “High-tech urban farm towers and green rooftops in St. Louis” and this is what I got.

Let me know what ideas you have for this. I really enjoy making these types of photos.

St. Louis Historical Events

St. Louis General Strike (1877) - One of the first general strikes in the United States by railroad workers.

The St. Louis General Strike of 1877 was a pivotal moment in American labor history, marking one of the first general strikes in the United States. It began in July 1877, amidst a nationwide uprising of railroad workers protesting against wage cuts, poor working conditions, and the excessive power of railroad corporations. The strike in St. Louis, however, distinguished itself from other protests across the country by evolving into a citywide general strike, as workers from various industries joined the railroad workers in solidarity, effectively bringing the city's economy to a standstill.

The strike was characterized by its peaceful nature and the remarkable unity among workers of different trades. The workers formed a Committee of Safety to maintain order and provide services in the city, demonstrating an unprecedented level of organization and cooperation. This solidarity across trade lines was a significant development in the labor movement, illustrating the potential power of collective action. Despite their peaceful intentions, the strikers faced opposition from national guardsmen and federal troops, leading to violent clashes that resulted in several casualties.

The St. Louis General Strike of 1877 ended after about a week when federal troops and local militia regained control of the railroads and the city's key infrastructure. While the strike did not achieve immediate concessions from employers or significant improvements in labor conditions, it marked a critical turning point in the history of American labor. The events in St. Louis helped to catalyze the labor movement, leading to the eventual formation of more organized labor unions and the fight for workers' rights. The strike remains a testament to the power of worker solidarity and the ongoing struggle for fair labor practices.

Famous People From St. Louis

William S. Burroughs (1914–1997)

Early Life in St. Louis (1914–1932):

Born on February 5, 1914, in St. Louis, Missouri, William Seward Burroughs II was the grandson of the inventor of the Burroughs Adding Machine. Growing up in a wealthy and prominent family, Burroughs was exposed to a comfortable lifestyle that sharply contrasted with the themes he would later explore in his works. His early life in St. Louis, marked by privilege and academic achievement, laid the groundwork for his expansive view of society and its fringes.

Education and the Making of a Writer (1932–1943):

Burroughs attended Harvard University, graduating in 1936 with a degree in English Literature. Despite this conventional start, his experiences traveling through Europe and living briefly in Vienna exposed him to various avant-garde and subcultural elements that influenced his later writing. During this period, Burroughs began to develop his unique narrative voice, characterized by its critique of societal norms and exploration of the human condition's darker aspects.

The Beat Generation and Early Works (1943–1950):

After returning to the United States, Burroughs settled in New York City, where he became a central figure in the Beat Generation alongside Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg. This period was marked by intense creative collaboration and experimentation with drugs, sexuality, and writing techniques. It was during these years that Burroughs began to write more seriously, laying the groundwork for his future as a groundbreaking author.

Tragedy and Transformation (1951–1959):

In 1951, Burroughs accidentally shot and killed his wife, Joan Vollmer, in a drunken game of William Tell in Mexico City. This tragic event profoundly impacted Burroughs, leading him to declare that it was the catalyst for his decision to become a writer. The following years were a period of self-imposed exile and deep introspection, during which he wrote Junky and Queer, exploring themes of addiction, existential despair, and the search for personal identity.

"Naked Lunch" and International Recognition (1959–1962):

Burroughs' breakthrough came with the publication of Naked Lunch in 1959, a non-linear narrative that shocked and fascinated readers with its graphic depictions of drug use, sexual explicitness, and a critical view of social and political structures. The novel faced obscenity trials in the United States but was ultimately deemed not obscene, marking a significant victory for free expression in literature. Naked Lunch catapulted Burroughs to international fame, establishing him as a controversial but pivotal figure in post-war American literature.

Experimentation and the Cut-Up Technique (1960–1968):

During the 1960s, Burroughs lived in various cities around the world, including Tangier, Paris, and London. He collaborated with Brion Gysin to develop the cut-up technique, a method of rearranging words and sentences from existing texts to create new narratives. This experimental approach to literature reflected Burroughs' lifelong fascination with the limits of language and consciousness, influencing a wide range of artists and writers.

Return to the United States and Later Works (1969–1979):

In the late 1960s, Burroughs returned to the United States, settling in New York City's burgeoning countercultural scene. He continued to write prolifically, producing works that included The Wild Boys, Exterminator!, and the Red Night trilogy. These later works expanded on Burroughs' themes of societal control mechanisms, personal freedom, and the nature of reality.

The Final Years and Legacy (1980–1997):

Burroughs spent his final years in Lawrence, Kansas, where he remained a prolific writer and influential cultural figure. He lectured at universities, made appearances in films, and collaborated with musicians, continuing to impact various art forms. Burroughs died on August 2, 1997, leaving behind a body of work that challenged conventional narratives and explored the depths of human experience.

Connection to St. Louis:

Though he traveled extensively and lived in various parts of the world, Burroughs' early years in St. Louis had a lasting impact on his life and work. The city's mix of Midwestern values and industrial landscapes informed his critical view of American society, while his family's prominence in St. Louis provided a complex backdrop against which he rebelled and formed his identity as an outsider.

Key Achievements:

• Central figure in the Beat Generation, influencing literature, music, and culture.

• Author of Naked Lunch, a landmark work that challenged literary conventions and censorship laws.

• Pioneer of the cut-up technique, influencing experimental writing and multimedia art.

William S. Burroughs remains one of the most provocative and influential writers of the 20th century, known for his explorations of the human psyche, societal structures, and the boundaries of language. From his privileged beginnings in St. Louis to his pivotal role in the Beat Generation and beyond, Burroughs' life was a testament to the power of literature to challenge, disturb, and illuminate. His legacy endures in the vast array of artists and writers he influenced, as well as in his contributions to the fight for free expression and the exploration of alternative states of consciousness.

Connect With Me

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I would love to hear from you. Don’t be shy.

-Matthew Larsen

Follow me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/matthewblarsen

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