Out of the past: April 21

1993

Citing the title of a popular movie, organizers of Citizens Against Riverboat Gambling call the issue an "indecent proposal" for the city of Cape Girardeau; Dr. Richard Martin and the Rev. Charles Grant are two of the five men spearheading the group, which will work to defeat a June 8 city ballot measure on riverboat gambling.

After 14 years on Cape Girardeau's Airport Advisory Board, the past three as chairman, Jerry McClanahan was bumped from the board Monday; the City Council reappointed Steve Nesler to the board and named newcomer Michael Wandrick to it; McClanahan had sought a third, seven-year term, but was able to muster the support of only three of the seven council members.

1968

"Break the record day" is held in the morning at Faith Baptist Temple, following Sunday School; Mrs. J.C. Mattox breaks a plastic, long-playing record over the head of her husband, who is the church pastor; this is in recognition of a record attendance of 103 on Easter Sunday, which is the highest church attendance in the past four years that Mattox has been pastor here.

A record number of vehicles, 1,845 in all, go on the annual Trail of Tears State Park Dogwood Tour in the afternoon, and an estimated 6,500 persons ride in them; last year saw 1,600 vehicles taking the tour, which is sponsored by the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce and Jaycees.

1943

Two dozen or more families have inquired as to furnishing a home for the 3-week-old baby found abandoned on a doorstep in Cape Girardeau last week; some suitable foster parents for the girl will be selected, if the parents don't come forward to claim her; Mrs. C.M. McWilliams, county welfare officer, says the child has been made a ward of the state.

Maj. Percy R. Little and Capt. Glenn W. Lampley are home on a one-week leave; they drove from the Pacific Coast, bringing an automobile here for Lt. William Leming; Little and Lampley are both still with the 140th Infantry.

1918

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Frank Hooven, the first soldier boy of Company K to die since that organization left Sikeston, is buried in the afternoon, his funeral being one of the largest ever seen here; Hooven died at Camp Doniphan, where his company was stationed.

Although the weather is disagreeable, a large audience assembles at the Orpheum Theater in the afternoon to hear B.B. Cahoon, who was sent here by the Speakers Committee of the Liberty Loan Headquarters at St. Louis; Cahoon speaks in support of the war and current bond drive; it is also recalled that his son-in-law, our fellow townsman, Capt. George Earl Alt, was killed in the capture of Hill No. 60 on April 18, 1915, while serving with British forces.

-- Sharon K. Sanders