Out of the past 1/1/14

1989

Despite last summer's drought and a cold January and December, 1988 was still above average as far as weather goes; the total precipitation in 1988 was 39.66 inches, 12 inches less than the long-term average.

Telemarketing and direct mail have been successful marketing tools in gaining members for the new LaCroix United Methodist Church; since the church began its marketing program Aug. 1, 1988, its average Sunday attendance has grown to 123 participants; the congregation worships at the West Park Cine in West Park Mall; pastor is the Rev. Ron Watts.

1964

A surging apartment house construction program and ambitious commercial expansion helped sustain Cape Girardeau's construction numbers during the year just ended; the 242 new homes built in Cape Girardeau totaled $3,431,450, a new dollar record for the city for the third year in a row; besides the new single-family homes, 14 new apartment houses were erected, another is expanding and three duplexes were built.

Circuit Judge W. Osler Statler yesterday ordered a Cape Girardeau County grand jury be called for Monday; while the grand jury hasn't been called to probe anything specific, Statler says it is a healthy thing for the county and is needed periodically.

1939

Dr. Clifford L. Stanley is expected to arrive in Cape Girardeau next week to assume his duties as rector of Christ Episcopal Church; he will conduct his first services here Jan. 8.

The Rev. F.H. Melzer begins his 21st year as pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church; Melzer, who has served in this community longer than any other minister now here, came to Cape Girardeau from Steeleville, Ill., where he had been a pastor eight years; prior to that, he was pastor at Baldwin, Ill., 10 years; he began his pastoral work at Murphysboro, Ill., in 1899.

1914

Yesterday, a lawsuit asking damages to the extent of $500,000 was filed in Common Pleas Court by attorneys Thomas F. Lane of Cape Girardeau and Judge Chester H. Krum of St. Louis for James N. Alsop against the owners of the Cape County Milling Co. of Jackson; the suit stems from Alsop's claim that he is the inventor and discoverer of a new process for treating flour.

Dr. D.W.P. Tarlton, the young dentist with office rooms in the H.-H. Building, is found in his dental chair in the morning in a dazed condition; he is removed to his home at 514 Broadway, where he dies; the exact cause of death is unknown.

-- Sharon K. Sanders