Remembering Cape Girardeau

Upon moving to Cape Girardeau in 1989, for two and a half years, I'd trespass upon the Hotel Marquette, not realizing the owner would become one of my dearest friends, and I'd have full run of the place. We all agree that Thad Bullock was a character, but maybe not on what kind of character. Thad was a total class act, as substantiated, in part, by his legitimate run for Congress. He served as Broussard's house pianist for two years. Wow, could he ever play -- a born entertainer. Occasionally, he'd play near the open door of his salon -- the sounds of ragtime and my hysterical laughter echoing up Broadway. There, he literally gave me the shirt off his back and left in his T-shirt. Yes, he lacked the $7 million to renovate his hotel; however, he wanted it preserved long after city officials gave up on him and the building.

No one offered Thad a fraction of what this priceless, one-of-a-kind structure was worth. My only regret about the renovation is that the building didn't remain a hotel. With the new casino under construction, think what might have been. After I left Cape Girardeau in 1992, a plethora of long letters, roughly three per week, arrived from Thad until his death. His letters are packed with wisdom and can be made available to the Cape Historical Society or to a biographer. Thad is as book-worthy as anyone who's ever lived! I loved him like an uncle, much as I'll always love Cape Girardeau, my second hometown.

FRANK JEFF VERITO, Marquette, Mich.