LETTERS: RESEARCH, REPORTING ARE PROFESSIONAL

To the editor:

From June 23 to 28 I visited Cape Girardeau in connection with special-project research as described in a front-page article of the Southeast Missourian June 27 by Peggy O'Farrell.

Prior to and during that trip, I was greatly aided in my research by your newspaper's librarian, Sharon Sanders, and by your reporter, Peggy O'Farrell.

In particular, Ms. Sanders was graciously and expertly helpful to me on numerous occasions, providing me with very helpful suggestions and ideas, access to certain of the library files and so forth. Her work was highly professional and courteous. Ms. Sanders, in my opinion, represented her company and her community in a most commendable manner. She made my work go much more quickly and smoothly than otherwise it would have. Ms. Sanders is a great credit to your newspaper.

Additionally, my interactions with Ms. O'Farrell and other staff members was most professional and cordial. I believe Peggy wrote a balanced, objective and appealing feature article about my work there, in every way as she assured me in advance that it would be presented. I found Ms. O'Farrell to be an especially professional and distinguished journalist, and I'm please that I made her acquaintance.

Finally, microfilmed archived records of your newspaper, as reposed in the Cape Girardeau Public Library and at the State Historical Society for the years 1940-42 and for 1974, as well as the indices also in the public library, I found to be a most useful source of historical information directly pertinent to my research needs.

The purpose of this letter it to thank you and your staff of experts.

JAMES WESTWOOD

Military Science and Defense Analytics

Centreville, Va.