Week of Dec. 26 - Jan. 1

Dec. 26, 1914

INTAKE PIPE FREEZES AND CITY IS WITHOUT WATER SUPPLY

No Telling When Water Service Will Be Resumed -- Second Time City Has Been Without Water In Recent Years

Cape Girardeau is again without water. Four or five years ago the same thing happened, and once more the city is dry and placed at the mercy of fire.

Officials of the water company say they will be pumping water again tonight. In the meantime the greatest care should be taken against fire. Every family should see that the stoves, furnaces and fireplaces are safeguarded in every way.

The severe cold weather froze the water in the river near the pumping station so solidly that the intake pipe was clogged.

The water company is working to plant a new intake pipe...

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Capt. George E. Alt built this house in 1903 on Pacific Street. It was razed in 1967 to make way for the expansion of Trinity Lutheran School.

Dec. 26, 1967

Alt Home Being Razed for Growth of Trinity School

During its first ten years, it was the scene of fancy balls and elegant dinners.

Later, it saw Sunday School classes, church ice cream socials, meetings of youth groups.

Now, it will see no more. The Alt house, later known as Trinity Hall, is being razed to make room for expanded school facilities. Trinity Lutheran Church has owned the property since 1915.

Capt. George E. Alt built the house in 1903. Alt was an Englishman, born in Japan in 1870. He served in World War I and was killed in France in 1915 under German fire.

Standing on Pacific Street, on a rise and well back in a spacious lawn, the house was of brick, with shingled upper stories.

Generations of Cape Girardeau youngsters remember playing on the huge circular porch which jutted out toward Themis street...

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Dec. 29, 1996

County set for move to first class

By Marc Powers

Southeast Missourian

When Cape Girardeau counties wake up Wednesday, they will be starting the new year in a brand new first-class county.

But hardly anyone will notice the difference.

Members of the Cape Girardeau County Commission said changes resulting from the move from second- to first-class status will be largely administrative. However, shifts in responsibilities and increased powers will result.

The shift to first class is mandatory under state statutes when a county maintains a total assessed valuation of $450 million or more for five consecutive years...