Out of the past: Feb. 23

1995

Motorists traveling from Illinois get a dim view of Cape Girardeau at night; only one light burns on the west ramp of the Mississippi River bridge at the end of Morgan Oak Street, and seven others don't work; one fixture is completely missing; the outside glass is broken around most of the old mercury vapor lights, with pigeons making homes in one or two of them.

Children's Apparel Service is planning to shoot its fall 1995 catalog in Cape Girardeau in May, and a long-standing relationship with Children's Bazaar is bringing the company's photographer here; Judith Wilferth, store owner, is taking applications from parents with children who can model for the catalog.

1970

Lillian E. Stehr, who previously served two terms as clerk of the Cape Girardeau Court of Common Pleas, has again filed as a candidate for the office on the Republican ticket; Stehr was first elected to the office in 1954 and served through 1962; she didn't seek re-election for a third term at that time; the incumbent, Ervin Hobbs, a Democrat, is also a candidate for the post in the fall election.

Voters of Cape Girardeau County will go to the polls tomorrow to ballot on a special tax levy to finance the proposed establishment and operation of a County Public Health Unit; if the issue gains the needed two-thirds majority, the levy will cost the property owners 10 cents on the $100 assessed valuation.

1945

Pvt. Loy J. Welker of Kurreville, husband of Hattie Welker, now residing in Burfordville, was killed in action in France on Jan. 31, his wife has been advised by the War Department; previously, she was informed he was missing in action, following combat duty with an infantry unit; along with his wife, the soldier is survived by a 2-year-old son, his parents, a brother and a sister.

Hoping to influence the upcoming vote on the new Missouri Constitution, Cape Girardeau is being flooded with expensive, printed mailers opposing approval of the Constitution.

1920

Robert Thomas Giboney, for more than three-fourths of a century a resident of Cape Girardeau and vicinity, dies at his home at 719 Bellevue St., in the morning of pneumonia, after an illness of only a week; Giboney was born 76 years and three months ago on the Giboney farm, six miles south of Cape Girardeau; he was descended from pathfinders and empire builders, the great-grandson of Alexander Giboney, grandson of Robert Giboney and son of William Giboney.

Common Pleas Court convenes here in the morning with Judge John A. Snider on the bench; as today and tomorrow are probate days, there is no rush about the courthouse, only two lawyers, J.A. Barks and Allen L. Oliver, being present when court is called to order.

-- Sharon K. Sanders