Out of the past: Dec. 16

1991

ALTENBURG, Mo. -- In times of economic trouble for schools across the state, tiny Altenburg Public School is paying cash for a new building addition. Superintendent Richard Hoffman said the 77-student school district has been saving money for the past six years to build the $120,000 structure.

Three newly hired firefighters spend their first day on the job at Cape Girardeau's Fire Station No. 1. They are John T. Ryan of Jackson, Bill Crump of Scott City and Jeff Banken of Dexter, Missouri.

1966

Marine Cpl. John Hedger of Chaffee, Missouri, son of Mr. and Mrs. E.S. Hedger, was among 300 wounded Marines recently honored at the Great Lakes (Illinois) Naval Hospital. Hedger, who was undergoing treatment for wounds sustained in battle, received the Purple Heart and Bronze Star for bravery in action with the 3rd Helicopter Battalion in Vietnam.

Actor Joseph Partridge of Hollywood, who plays Dr. Peter Lindsay on the television series "General Hospital," visited his brother and sister-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. James Partridge of Cape Girardeau, yesterday. As guest of his brother, Joseph Partridge attended the Optimist Club Christmas party for children last night and later was entertained by Mr. and Mrs. William F. Suedekum Jr. in their Cape Girardeau home.

1941

Alexander County, Illinois, has purchased the Mississippi River traffic bridge at Cape Girardeau for $2,525,000. County Clerk Paul Clutts at Cairo, Illinois, said the County Board of Commissioners, at the close of its meeting yesterday, entered an order to purchase the span.

C. Paul Corbin of Cape Girardeau, a police motorcycle patrolman since Aug. 1, has been appointed a member of the State Highway Patrol. He is to report at Jefferson City on Monday to start training.

1916

The first skating and coasting of the season is being enjoyed by the young folk of the city. Hundreds of them can be seen on every hill and pond, taking advantage of the sports they like best. Independence Street hill, from the top of Fountain Street to Spanish Street, affords the best coasting, while the Fairground Park pond seems to be the best attraction for skating.

All of the trains coming into Cape Girardeau bring in large crowds of people to do their Christmas shopping.

-- Sharon K. Sanders