- A third steamer Cape Girardeau was christened 100 years ago (3/26/24)
- Cape Girardeau christens its namesake (3/19/24)
- The humanist philosophy of Lester Mondale (3/12/24)1
- Cape Osteopathic Hospital opens its doors (3/5/24)
- 8 killed and a million dollars damage done in 1924 tornado (2/27/24)1
- Jackson's militant priest, county recorder at odds over marriage licenses (2/20/24)
- Streaking fad comes to Cape (2/13/24)2
A man of mystery
For the 31 years I have worked in the library of the Southeast Missourian, I have been confronted with quite a number of mysteries. UFO crashes and tunnels to Old Lorimier Cemetery are just a couple.
But one mystery that so far has defeated me stares up at me every day from my computer's desktop: A photo of a priest standing in front of Old St. Vincent's Church in downtown Cape Girardeau with the venerable pastor of St. Mary's Parish, the Rev. Eberhardt Pruente.
The latter, at right in the photo, is a legend at St. Mary's. Pruente came to Cape Girardeau in 1881, when the parish was just 13 years old. He stayed for the next 51 years, until death took him July 25, 1932.
Here is Pruente's obituary:
Pruente's history is well documented, but the identity of his companion in this circa 1920s picture has defied my best efforts.
Perhaps, one day, someone will recognize him and drop me a note. Then I can move on to the next mystery....
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