History in the News
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Out of the past: April 18 (4/18/24)Mount Auburn Christian Church celebrates its 30th anniversary during the morning worship service and a potluck dinner that follows; a pictorial display of the church’s history is in the foyer; the church began as New Testament Christian Church with only five families as members; the first service was held in 1970 with only 34 people attending; today there are more than 200 members. ...
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Out of the past: April 17 (4/17/24)Calvin Bird has resigned as executive director of Southeast Missouri’s federally funded Weed and Seed program; Bird was the first and only executive director for Weed and Seed of Southeast Missouri Inc. and had served since April 1, 1997; the program is a U.S. Department of Justice initiative designed to weed out violent crime, drug use and gang activity in targeted neighborhoods in Cape Girardeau, Sikeston, Charleston, Poplar Bluff and Caruthersville; Bird said Friday he resigned to take a position with the Greater Dimension Church of God in Christ in Cape Girardeau. ...
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Out of the past: April 16 (4/16/24)Taxpayers crowded into the Cape Girardeau Post Office yesterday to mail their tax returns; area residents streamed into the post office throughout the day, most intent on mailing tax returns; "We will cancel 300,000 to 350,000 pieces of mail," predicted Postmaster Mike Keefe; normally, the post office here cancels about 170,000 pieces of mail...
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Out of the past: April 16 (4/16/24)Taxpayers crowded into the Cape Girardeau Post Office yesterday to mail their tax returns; area residents streamed into the post office throughout the day; “We will cancel 300,000 to 350,000 pieces of mail,” predicted Postmaster Mike Keefe; normally, the post office here cancels about 170,000 pieces of mail. ...
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Out of the past: April 15 (4/15/24)A proposal to build a 40-unit apartment complex in South Cape Girardeau for elderly and disabled residents was approved last night by the Cape Girardeau Planning and Zoning Commission; the project would occupy the northeast corner of Linden Street and Parkway Drive and would consist of 10 four-plexes of one and two bedrooms; it would be situated half a block from a similar 44-unit complex, Heritage Manor, built three years ago by the same company, Cape Girardeau Properties II, L.P...
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Out of the past: April 15 (4/15/24)A proposal to build a 40-unit apartment complex in South Cape Girardeau for elderly and disabled residents was approved last night by the Cape Girardeau Planning and Zoning Commission; the project would occupy the northeast corner of Linden Street and Parkway Drive and would consist of 10 four-plexes of one and two bedrooms; it would be situated half a block from a similar 44-unit complex, Heritage Manor, built three years ago by the same company, Cape Girardeau Properties II, L.P. ...
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Cape Girardeau Heritage Museum unveils exhibits on old bridge, Truman and American quilting (4/15/24)The Cape Girardeau Heritage Museum is set to unveil three new exhibits this week that promise to enrich our understanding of both local and national heritage. These exhibits, focusing on the construction of the old Cape Girardeau bridge, President Harry S. Truman’s connection with Southeast Missouri, and American quiltmaking, provide a view of pivotal moments and traditions that have shaped our community and the country at large. ...
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Out of the past: April 14 (4/14/24)Cape Girardeau has received a commitment for a $600,000 community development block grant for water and sewer line improvements at Cape Girardeau Regional Airport; the preliminary grant award will help the city provide water service to the airport and surrounding businesses...
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Out of the past: April 13 (4/13/24)The Cape Girardeau Board of Education remains much the same after being reorganized last night; new board officers were elected and appointed; Dr. Ferrell Ervin, in his third term as board member, was re-elected board president for a third year; Mark Carver, who is serving the second year of his three-year term, was elected vice president of the board; incumbents Bob Blank and the Rev. ...
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Murder most foul: The killing of John M. Daniel (4/13/24)Bill EddlemanThe sensational case of the murder of John M. Daniel by Isaac Whitson on Dec. 12, 1832, is a rare local example of an early capital crime. John M. Daniel first appeared in the area in 1818 when he bought land near Hubble Creek just north of Jackson. In 1828 Daniel married Amantha Hector, likely his second wife. Daniel became a prominent businessman, owning nine local town lots and over 600 acres of land by 1830.
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Out of the past: April 12 (4/12/24)Downtown living is making an impressive comeback in Cape Girardeau; a nationwide trend is luring a diverse population — singles, couples, retirees — back downtown to Main Street; and, in downtown Cape Girardeau, that means upscale loft dwellings, second-floor apartments which overlook the Mississippi River, and a new four-family condo; Aquamsi Bluff Townhouse is expected to be ready for occupancy in the 200 block of South Spanish this fall; it’s the first new residential structure in the immediate downtown area in almost a quarter-century. ...
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OJ Simpson dies at 76 (4/11/24)By KEN RITTER Associated PressLAS VEGAS (AP) — O.J. Simpson, the football star and Hollywood actor acquitted of charges he killed his former wife and her friend in a trial that mesmerized the public and exposed divisions on race and policing in America, has died. He was 76...
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Out of the past: April 11 (4/11/24)Former leaders of the now dissolved Cape Community Concert Association have donated $3,216 to Southeast Missouri University Foundation to support the River Campus project at Southeast Missouri State University; the gift represents residual funds from the former Community Concert Association, which became inactive a few years ago. ...
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Cape Girardeau native assists with uncovering archaeological site (4/10/24)J.C. Reeves ~ Southeast Missourian and Associated PressHOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. — An archaeological site that might shed more light on New Mexico’s ancient history has been discovered recently within the boundaries of Holloman Air Force Base...
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Out of the past: April 10 (4/10/24)School district administrators say a federal law that governs special education programs has handcuffed their ability to discipline students; about 40 Southeast Missouri educators from 18 school districts met with U.S. Sens. John Ashcroft and Christopher “Kit” Bond yesterday at the Cape Girardeau Area Vocational-Technical School; they said the federal Individuals with Disabilities Act also has saddled the nation’s school districts with burdensome and expensive disciplinary procedures; Ashcroft and Bond pledged to work toward improving the law. ...
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Peter Higgs, physicist who proposed the existence of the 'God particle,' dies at 94 (4/10/24)By DANICA KIRKA, JILL LAWLESS and JAMEY KEATEN ~ Associated PressLONDON -- Nobel prize-winning physicist Peter Higgs, who proposed the existence of the so-called "God particle" that helped explain how matter formed after the Big Bang, has died at age 94, the University of Edinburgh said Tuesday. The university, where Higgs was emeritus professor, said he died Monday following a short illness...
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Out of the past: April 9 (4/9/24)Speaking at the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce First Friday Coffee at the Show Me Center, James Gray, a member of the British Parliament, suggests “perhaps we should set up a ‘sister-city’ relationship” between Cape Girardeau and his home town in England, Chippenham in Wiltshire County; Gray, a Conservative Party member of Parliament, is guest of U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson, who is also a speaker at the coffee; another guest at the event is Ronald C. Gladney, a St. Louis attorney, who is Emerson’s fiance. ...
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Out of the past: April 8 (4/8/24)Gov. Mel Carnahan wants the Legislature to appropriate $4.6 million for development of Southeast Missouri State University’s River Campus; his action Wednesday prompted the House Budget Committee to include the project in its capital improvements funding bill; university and Cape Girardeau city officials cheer the developments as positive signs that the project will proceed. ...
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Out of the past: April 7 (4/7/24)They don’t have a site yet, but the Lutheran High School Steering Committee has selected its name; Saxony Lutheran High School is expected to open its doors, wherever it might be, by fall 2000; the name was selected from 35 suggestions submitted by school-age children; the name reflects the region’s Lutheran heritage...
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Out of the past: April 6 (4/6/24)The Cape Girardeau County Commission will establish a county archives center that will be open within a year; the county purchased a building at 112 E. Washington that formerly housed a Texaco station; the building is directly across the street from the County Administration Building in Jackson; the new structure will provide storage for county records, as well as access to historical documents for researchers; the county will hire a director and use volunteers to operate the center...
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Sgt. Jesse Cooper ties Cape Girardeau to the 4th USC HA (4/6/24)Denise LincolnOn a bluff high above the Mississippi River, remnants of a massive chain, a 9-foot anchor, artillery guns and cannons -- a former battle ground shares space with picnic tables, a playground and benches from which to watch modern tow boats maneuvering barges. A day trip to Columbus-Belmont State Park in Kentucky interpreted Civil War-era efforts of the Confederate and Union armies, vying to control the grand waterway.
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Heritage Museum to open Truman, old Cape bridge construction exhibits (4/5/24)By Nathan Gladden ~ Southeast MissourianThe Cape Girardeau Heritage Museum will hold three new exhibits for their official opening with an unveiling from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, April 19. The exhibits include a history of the old Cape Girardeau bridge’s construction, President Harry S. Truman’s involvement with Southeast Missouri and The Art of American Quiltmaking. The exhibit “From Farmhouse to White House Harry S. Truman at 140” was made by Southeast Missouri State University’s “Problems in Historic Preservation” Spring 2024 class...
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Out of the past: April 5 (4/5/24)Jayne Ervin is the newest member of the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce board of directors; Ervin, a jeweler at Jason Jewelers Ltd. and Ervin’s Metalsmiths Inc., was named to fill the vacancy left by Jim Sexton, former Saint Francis Medical Center president and chief executive officer, who left Cape Girardeau in January to become president and CEO of North Iowa Mercy Health Center and Network in Mason City, Iowa. ...
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Judge approves bid on trustee for Shady Grove Cemetery (4/4/24)By Christopher Borro ~ Southeast MissourianDuring its Thursday, April 4, meeting, the Cape Girardeau County Commission listened to a report from the county archive center’s director Marybeth Niederkorn about updates to a historic cemetery...
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Out of the past: April 4 (4/4/24)Easter Sunday. People begin gathering as early as 4 a.m. at the Bald Knob Cross near Alto Pass, Illinois, to take part in Easter sunrise service; but rainy conditions force the outdoor service inside into the welcome center; speaker is the Rev. Larry Johnson. ...
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Out of the past: April 3 (4/3/24)Steve Wright of Cape Girardeau, 48, formerly a member of the Cape Girardeau Board of Education, was killed in a car accident in Tennessee Thursday; his wife, Kathy, a teacher at Cape Girardeau Central High School, was seriously injured in the accident, and his son, Scott, received minor injuries; the three were traveling to South Carolina to visit an older son, Corey, who serves in the military. ...
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Out of the past: April 2 (4/2/24)A car driven by an 86-year-old Cape Girardeau woman crashed through the front door of the Corner Pub at Independence and Frederick streets just before 4 p.m. yesterday; two patrons of the bar were trapped briefly, but weren’t injured; the driver of the car had a minor injury; police say she was westbound on Independence when her vehicle was struck by a northbound vehicle; the collision caused her car to spin around and into the bar. ...
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Lou Conter, last survivor of USS Arizona from Pearl Harbor attack, dies at 102 (4/2/24)By AUDREY McAVOY ~ Associated PressHONOLULU -- Lou Conter, the last living survivor of the USS Arizona battleship that exploded and sank during the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor, has died. He was 102. Conter passed away on Monday at his home in Grass Valley, California, following congestive heart failure, his daughter, Louann Daley said, adding she was beside him along with two of her brothers, James and Jeff...
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Out of the past: April 1 (4/1/24)Needing more space to accommodate the expected crowds Sunday for Easter worship, Lynwood Baptist Church announces its morning service will be at the A.C. Brase Arena Building, while the Osage Centre will house First Assembly of God’s morning worship. ...
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Old Town Cape recognizes those making difference in downtown (4/1/24)The Old Town Cape annual dinner recently celebrated the remarkable individuals and organizations whose contributions have significantly impacted the revitalization and enrichment of Old Town. Their contributions have catalyzed remarkable transformations within downtown Cape Girardeau, fostering a sense of belonging and pride among residents and visitors. The achievements of these individuals and organizations underscore the potential of passion-driven efforts in community development. ...
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Out of the past: March 30 (3/30/24)The recent rescue of the pilot of a downed American stealth fighter in Yugoslavia triggered memories for ex-Marine Matthew Morton; the 24-year-old Jackson man knows about rescuing pilots in the Balkans; Morton, then a lance corporal, was part of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit that rescued Air Force Capt. ...
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History repeats itself (3/30/24)By Marybeth Niderkorn ~ Southeast MissourianIt happened the same way it always does. I was in the County Commission Minutes index book at the Cape Girardeau County Archive Center in Jackson, researching a simple question -- when was the Cape Special Road District formed? -- and stumbled into a whole other story that ties in beautifully to some current events. ...
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Out of the past: March 31 (3/30/24)Preserving Cape Girardeau's historic resources is a daunting task because so many elements of historic architecture and design are scattered around the city; but a historic preservation study recommends creating conservation zones or districts to help preserve the historic sites in Cape Girardeau; 24 people attend a public hearing at City Hall to learn more about the plan; if Cape Girardeau adopts a conservation zone approach, it could be one of the first communities in the state to do so...
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Out of the past: March 29 (3/29/24)The Vernon Rhodes Family Trust pays a $200,000 bank note, temporarily underwriting Shepherd's Cove Children's Home in Gordonville; if the debt is repaid within one year, the family trust will donate $10,000 toward the project; the foster home is associated with Abundant Life Church, also in Gordonville...
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Did you know? Mississippi River bridge at Chester once collapsed. Here’s what happened (3/28/24)By Bob Miller ~ Southeast MissourianIn the aftermath of the bridge collapse near Baltimore, a question arises: Has such a thing ever happened in Southeast Missouri? Yes. ...
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Out of the past: March 28 (3/28/24)Palm Sunday; a procession of palms is held at Good Shepherd Lutheran Chapel during the morning worship service; 11 children are confirmed: Amanda Carr, Jonathan Fritzler, Amanda Herbst, Darren Neels, Dean Richardson, Kyle Schuessler, Kristin Smith, Andrew Tiehes, Lauren Touchette, Calen Wills and Paul Wunderlich. ...
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Out of the past: March 27 (3/27/24)Repair work on the Mississippi River bridge at Cape Girardeau continues another day next week, but travelers should expect additional repairs to be scheduled in the coming months; this week, work went slower than expected because of rain early in the week and an equipment breakdown Thursday; Tuesday, the bridge will be closed to one lane of traffic from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. ...
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Out of the past: March 26 (3/26/24)Motorists are facing an economic pinch at the pumps as fuel prices continue to climb near the dollar mark for regular unleaded gasoline; the increase follows an agreement among the world’s top oil producers to curtail production and end a global oil glut; prices in the area range from 86.9 cents a gallon at Jackson Basic Fuel to 95.9 cents at Scott City Citgo and Cape Girardeau BP. ...
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Out of the past: March 25 (3/25/24)Student fees were increased by the Southeast Missouri State University's Board of Regents yesterday, a move regents say was unavoidable; the university raised tuition and general fees and also boosted room and board charges for the 1999-2000 academic year; as part of the fee hikes, the regents approved an $8.7 million operating budget for residence life, the university department that runs campus housing...
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Out of the past: March 23 (3/23/24)Southeast Missouri State University students can expect to pay more to live on campus next year; the university's Board of Regents will consider raising room and board charges as well as tuition and other fees when it meets tomorrow in the University Center Ballroom; a non-scholarship, undergraduate student living in campus housing and taking 24 credit-hours over two semesters would pay $6,697 to $7,797 next school year, under the proposed fee increases...
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Feeding the troops (3/23/24)David DickeyThis month's article is an introduction to one of the educational tubs for loan from the Red Clifton military collection at the Cape County History Center. More articles will follow later. The U.S. military has evolved since the founding of this country and each branch has a name for where troops eat. ...
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Genetic genealogy: Testing considerations and using the results (3/23/24)Bill EddlemanBefore you test your DNA, you should have a good reason for testing. For example, while most testers do so to obtain ethnicity estimates, this is mainly for entertainment value and is often not particularly useful for family history. Furthermore, if the reference population increases, there may be adjustments in percentages. The example in the illustration is for a person who originally had no Scandinavian ancestry indicated, yet now comprises around 15%...
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Out of the past: March 24 (3/23/24)A fisherman found the skeletal remains of an unidentified person Sunday near Tower Rock in Perry County; Perry County Sheriff Gary Schaaf says the remains were found on the Missouri side of the Mississippi River; the FBI has been called in to investigate...
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Out of the past: March 22 (3/22/24)A Mississippi timber hauler escapes injuries after the cab of his truck becomes impaled by logs on Jackson Boulevard in Jackson; the driver of the truck, David Mooneyham of Randolph, Mississippi, is following another loaded timber truck when a vehicle pulls into the path of the lead truck; as the lead truck comes to a sudden stop, Mooneyham can’t avoid striking it and the timber it’s carrying; the driver ducks just in time to avoid being struck by logs coming through his windshield. ...
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Out of the past: March 21 (3/21/24)The “Song of Mark”, a collection of stories from the gospel and set to music, is performed in the afternoon at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Jackson; musicians and vocalists from Catholic churches in the area perform the musical by Marty Haugen. ...
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1 of the few remaining survivors of the attack on Pearl Harbor has died at 102 (3/21/24)By AUDREY McAVOY ~ Associated PressHONOLULU -- Richard C. "Dick" Higgins, one of the few remaining survivors of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, has died, a family member said Wednesday. He was 102. Higgins died at home in Bend, Oregon, on Tuesday of natural causes, granddaughter Angela Norton said...
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M. Emmet Walsh, unforgettable character actor from 'Blood Simple,' 'Blade Runner,' dies at 88 (3/21/24)By ANDREW DALTON ~ Associated PressLOS ANGELES -- M. Emmet Walsh, the character actor who brought his unmistakable face and unsettling presence to films including "Blood Simple" and "Blade Runner," has died at age 88, his manager said Wednesday. Walsh died from cardiac arrest on Tuesday at a hospital in St. Albans, Vermont, his longtime manager Sandy Joseph said...
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Reviving history, Cape Girardeau reclaims lost Civil War cannon (3/20/24)By Alyssa Lunsford ~ Southeast MissourianThe recent return of the Woodruff cannon to Cape Girardeau has ignited historical reflection and interest from local Civil War reenactors. This artifact, named George after George Thilenius by the Friends of Fort D, has made its way home to Cape Girardeau after disappearing from the public eye since 1942...
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Out of the past: March 20 (3/20/24)The new waterfall in front of Kent Library on the campus of Southeast Missouri State University has been activated, while university construction crews continue their work on it; water cascades over limestone boulders five feet into a reflection pool...
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Out of the past: March 19 (3/19/24)A small tear in the rubber blade of a windshield wiper made the difference between excellent and perfect during Jackson School District's spring bus inspection yesterday; three hours and 54 buses later, the school district posted a near perfect inspection score of 98.1%, well above the state average of 85.3%; this achievement also earned the district the distinguished Fleet Excellence Award, given school districts that score 95% or higher on the annual spring inspection...