Out of the Past: June 17

1999

A complaint has been filed with the Cape Girardeau Police Department regarding police behavior during the arrest of two brothers in an incident that turned into a melee Friday morning; Rose Campbell, sister of the men, filed the complaint, which was forwarded to Police Chief Rick Hetzel; she also filed federal complaints with the Department of Justice and FBI alleging unnecessary verbal and physical abuse by officers during the incident that occurred in the 300 block of Good Hope Street; along with the two brothers, eight other Girardeans were arrested and charged with rioting for allegedly throwing rocks, cinder blocks and other debris at officers while attempting to take the brothers into custody.

Southeast Missouri State University’s proposal to use state tax credits in developing the River Campus may not pass legal muster; Missouri Department of Economic Development officials are exploring the legality of the proposal; government agencies and not-for-profit organizations don’t qualify for state tax credits for renovation of historic buildings, because they don’t pay taxes.

1974

State park officials are still hoping for a late summer or fall opening for the Trail of Tears State Park marina, although a $120,000 dredging operation to remove 12 feet of silt may take at least two months; sources at the construction site said last year that the design of the marina was such that an eddy was formed by the water passing by the end of the breakwater that circulated through the harbor and caused a continuous deposit of silt.

After the first six months of operation, Meals on Wheels’ tally sheet shows it has provided 1,757 nutritious meals to individuals unable to prepare them for themselves; in addition, 588 sack lunches also have been delivered through the food service program; Meals on Wheels is a self-supporting program that provides a hot noon-day meal five days a week for shut-ins as well as an outside contact for these people in case of emergency; the program is sponsored by Southeast Hospital Auxiliary and Cape Girardeau County Chapter of the American Red Cross.

1949

The number of x-rays made in Cape Girardeau County since the mobile unit of the state Division of Health began operations here rose to 10,115 yesterday, when 580 persons went through the traveling laboratory at its Cape Girardeau station on Lorimier Street adjacent to Courthouse Park; 4,686 of those x-rays were made in Cape Girardeau, exclusive of those taken at State College; there a total of 1,238 were made.

Emergency storm adjustment officers, who had been operating in Cape Girardeau since immediately after the May 21 tornado, have completed their work, and the last of 22 transient insurance adjusters leave the city today; some 1,400 claims were settled at an estimated total of $1,500,000; only 10 adjustments remain open, and these will be handled by local adjusters.

1924

The first tea shop in Cape Girardeau opens in the evening at 427 Broadway by Victoria McGownd; the building housing the shop was formerly occupied by Schrader’s Photo Shop and has been redecorated on the inside by McGownd, who is an artist and former owner of the Gift Shop on Broadway; she will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner and also sandwiches and light refreshments during the afternoon and night.

The wheat crop in Cape Girardeau and Scott counties will be ready for cutting the latter part of this week or the first of next, according to farmers of the area; the present warm weather is ripening the wheat fast, and harvest will be in full swing next week; farmers predict the crop will be better than a year ago.

Southeast Missourian librarian Sharon Sanders compiles the information for the daily Out of the Past column. She also writes a blog called “From the Morgue” that showcases interesting historical stories from the newspaper. Check out her blog at www.semissourian.com/history.