Out of the past 12/15/12

1987

A massive, late fall storm that dumped more than 10 inches of snow on portions of Missouri is also blamed for spawning tornadoes in West Memphis, Ark., and in Stoddard County, Mo., last night; Stoddard County authorities say a tornado destroyed three mobile homes, blew down trees and power lines and utility poles, but there are no reports of serious injuries.

Commissioners of the Southeast Missouri Regional Port Authority are deadlocked on the appointment of a ninth at-large member of the board; in the past, the appointment has been a routine item of business; but at last night's meeting, the appointment provided the opportunity for members to air out differences which have apparently been growing since late spring.

1962

Mississippi River traffic is reduced to a trickle between St. Louis and Cairo, Ill., as a new drop in the water level creates a number of points too shallow to navigate; the stage at Cape Girardeau is 5.3 feet.

The LaPierre-Sawyer Handle Co., founded in Jackson in 1902, has been sold to E.L. Keathley of Bernie, Mo., owner of other handle mills in Southeast Missouri; the majority of shares was held by the LaPierre family and, following the sudden death of M.G. LaPierre, his sons, G.M. and Tom LaPierre, decided to sell.

1937

Although it doesn't rival the 128-foot "big oak" in Mississippi County, City Commissioner L.H. Butler has had a 25-foot cedar placed in Fairground Park at the Broadway-West End Boulevard intersection; Christmas lights will be in place soon; the tree was donated by Roscoe O'Connell.

Work resumes on the construction of the new Superior Electric factory building after a week's layoff because of the cold temperatures; 50 men are on the job.

1912

Cape Girardeau architect A.F. Lindsay has secured a contract from the city board of Chaffee, Mo., to draw the plans and specifications for the city hall there; the board of aldermen of that railroad village has decided that the boxcar now in use isn't really in keeping with the dignity of the place.

There has been talk that a viaduct will soon be constructed down Main Street in Illmo to cross the Cotton Belt tracks; the railroad business is constantly growing, and it is getting more and more difficult for a team or a rig to negotiate the crossing quickly; rigs are often compelled to stand for 30 minutes waiting for trains to get out of the way; accidents are frequent.

-- Sharon K. Sanders