Out of the past 12/17/13

1988

The Mississippi River hits the lowest level of 1988, with expectation that trend will continue next week; the river at Cape Girardeau in the morning is 3.8 feet, down from Friday's 4.3 feet; making matters worse is the fact the river is dropping faster than forecast levels.

Circuit Judge A.J. Seier yesterday conceded his position of presiding judge of the 32nd Judicial Circuit, saying it's time for a change; Circuit Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh Jr., will assume the duties of presiding judge of the circuit immediately.

1963

Heavy ice floes are seen on the Mississippi River; an estimated 40 percent of the surface of the water is covered with the ice.

The Cape Girardeau County Civil Defense Sheriff's Patrol may be the only such unit in the state covered by workman's compensation insurance; County Clerk Rusby Crites says that to his knowledge only a handful of Missouri counties carry the insurance for county employees, and fewer still have sheriff's patrol units.

1938

Frederick Siemers, 79, a native of Cape Girardeau County, dies at his home in Jackson; Siemers was the first rural mail carrier in Gordonville and lived in or near that community until he was elected recorder of deeds in 1906, when he moved to Jackson; he served as recorder 12 years and then as deputy county collector and county treasurer.

It looks as if John G. Putz of Jackson has married his last couple; a ruling by the assistant attorney general of Missouri concludes that Putz is no longer a justice of the peace.

1913

Yesterday evening, after the day's work for the Saint Francis Hospital fundraising campaign had finished, W.W. Martin, captain of the crew working in the Normal School district, turned in more than $400, bringing that district's total contributions to about $1,000; it is believed that all totaled, the campaign will raise well in excess of the $12,500 promised by the Commercial Club to help finance construction of the new hospital on Good Hope Street.

Three or four outside contractors were in Cape Girardeau yesterday looking at the riverfront and gathering information; they are among several contractors who will bid for the Frisco contract.

-- Sharon K. Sanders