Cape Girardeau buys back 1950 fire truck for restoration

A 53-year-old pumper truck, originally purchased for $12,488, by the City of Cape Girardeau was repurchased from the Gordonville Fire Department for $1 on Monday, August 4.Southeast Missourian

A 53-year-old pumper truck, originally purchased for $12,488 by the city of Cape Girardeau, was repurchased from the Gordonville Fire Department for $1 on Aug. 4.

The International 750-gallon pumper truck, purchased from Heuer Truck Sales in Cape Girardeau, was acquired by a special election vote Dec. 6, 1949, in the city of Cape Girardeau. It served the city until 1980 when it was sold to Gordonville for $1. Cape Girardeau fire inspector Sam Welker said the truck was recently in service at Gordonville until Cape Girardeau repurchased it. "We intend to restore it as close as possible to its original condition and use it as a parade truck," Welker said.

In addition to polishing the chrome, antennaes and light bars will be removed; a missing battery cover and hard section hose will be replaced. The truck still retains its original paint and has only 21,122 miles on it.

Future restoration will be provided through donations or in-kind service of interested individuals wishing to contribute. Donations may be arranged by calling Welker at 334-3211.

Proposition No. 3, one of three propositions voted on in the special election in 1949, included two new fire stations and equipment at a cost of $165,000 to the city of Cape Girardeau. The two other proposals, a new swimming pool and the completion of the Arena Building, secured a majority of votes cast but each failed to gain the two-thirds necessary to bond the city for payment.

The city of Cape Girardeau assumed a $165,000 debt, the amount of bonds which were issued in payment. The obligation was for a 20-year period. Bonds in that amount were advertised and sold to the firm making the best lowest bid.

Cape Girardeau interim fire chief Mark Hasheider said that the truck will be on display at the SEMO District Fair, Sept. 6 and at the Capaha Park Fire Truck Rally Sept. 28.