Out of the past: July 16

1991

Irvin H. Garms, a member of the Cape-Bollinger County Lake Committee with extensive experience building lakes and dams, says it doesn't appear feasible to construct a recreational lake in Cape Girardeau County only; still, Garms says it might be worthwhile to take one more look to see exactly what size lake could be constructed without Bollinger County's participation.

About 40 Southeast Missouri State University administration, faculty and staff representatives meet to establish committees to work toward passage of Proposition B, a tax increase package to fund Missouri education needs; Art Wallhausen, assistant to the university president, tells the group at least 500,000 "yes" votes likely will be required to pass the measure.

1966

A bolt of lightning during an overnight electrical storm ignited the World War II-built No. 3 hangar at the municipal airport, setting a spectacular fire that destroyed the barn-like structure and eight airplanes housed inside at a total loss of at least $100,000; insurance protection on the city-owned building was only minimal.

A sudden, violent thunderstorm slashed through the Cape Girardeau area overnight, bringing wholesale flash flooding to the city and filling the skies with snapping electricity; rain, powered by winds that reached gusts of about 45 miles per hour, poured 3.45 inches of water on the city; fire trucks seeking to answer calls were stalled, and many motorists were stranded by high water.

1941

Already this season more than 4,200 quarts of food have been packed at the public school WPA cannery in the basement of Jefferson School, the produce all coming from the local community garden near the river, east of the Marquette Cement plant; along with tomatoes, workers are canning sweet corn, lima beans, green beans, Swiss chard, spinach, peas and beets.

After spending Monday and Tuesday inspecting Camp Lewallen on the St. Francis River, Lew Hall of Washington, D.C., National Boy Scout Council health and safety representative, says it is the best natural facility of any Boy Scout camp in Missouri and one of the best in the entire region.

1916

Dr. Charles R. Scoville, the famous Chicago evangelist, preaches morning, afternoon and evening sermons at the Pacific Street tabernacle recently used by the Eli Forsythe evangelistic party; he's here at the request of the Christian Church congregation.

About 40 members of the local Knights of Columbus council make the trip to Cairo, Illinois, to attend the conferring of the major degrees on a class of 40 applicants to the Cairo council; at the conclusion of the afternoon program, an elaborate banquet is served by ladies of Cairo's Catholic churches.

-- Sharon K. Sanders