Out of the past: Sept. 27

1990

Yesterday's 4.6-magnitude earthquake has set off a buying spree, as panicked residents purchase home and household insurance, distilled water, batteries, canned goods and first-aid supplies to equip earthquake kits.

Cape Girardeau and Bollinger County residents, who own property that would be directly affected by a proposed recreational lake in the two counties, raise a number of concerns at an informational meeting; many of their questions focus on the power of eminent domain the lake authority would have, the effect of zoning, how land prices would be determined during the condemnation process and what rights landowners would have around the lake if it is built.

1965

The Mississippi River at Cape Girardeau tops the official flood stage of 32 feet in the morning; the high waters are threatening low-lying farmland on both sides of the river; in the Miller City area of Illinois farmers are using tractors and bulldozers to erect earthen levees around their unharvested crops.

Charlie Brown and his "Peanuts" gang are published for the first time in the Southeast Missourian.

1940

Cape Girardeau Day and Big Friday are observed at the SEMO District Fair; yesterday brought the first of the racing and horse show programs to the fairgrounds; more racing is on the program for this afternoon, and a musical review will precede tonight's horse show.

Officials of the Cape Girardeau Transit Corp., which has been granted a permit to institute motor bus service here, are in Cape Girardeau from Danville, Illinois, making preliminary arrangements; it is hoped to have the service operating by Dec. 1.

1915

The fairgrounds are alive with all kinds of humanity as preparations are made for the annual fair; there are fully as many horses on the grounds as in previous years, which ensures good racing programs each day of the exposition; the Cape Girardeau Commercial Club, which is running the show, has sent out large advertisements to more than 20 Southeast Missouri newspapers and distributed 20,00 large bills announcing the two great parades and the fair; there is no doubt large crowds will attend, if the weather cooperates.

Contractor Herman Pape starts a large force of men to work in the morning tearing down the rear end of the Blattner building in Haarig, preparatory to extending the building back several feet and adding another business room.

-- Sharon K. Sanders