Out of the past 5/5/13

1988

As a result of legislation passed last week by the Missouri General Assembly, Cape Girardeau County won't begin a five-year countdown toward first-class status this year; in fact, it will likely be at least five years before the county attains the $450 million assessed valuation level the new law establishes for first-class status.

Cape Girardeau resident Laura Keller would like to see the nine-foot concrete cross that marks Cape LaCroix Creek moved to a more suitable location; she'd like to see the 1947 monument moved from the north side of Highway 61 east of the creek to Arena Park.

1963

The Rev. Elder A. Bruss is the new pastor of Zion Lutheran Church; he was installed last Sunday by the Rev. Walter Keisker of Jackson, counselor of the Cape Girardeau Circuit; Bruss comes here from Middle Lake, Saskatchewan.

The usual services are held at Eisleben Lutheran Church, despite the fire that ruined the belfry of the church Monday night; a crane was used to take down the remains of the melted bells and the belfry, which will be rebuilt.

1938

Louis Hecht announces the Ford-Hopkins Co., operating 52 drugstores in that many cities of Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin and Iowa, will open a store at 23 N. Main St., in early September.

A program looking at permanent improvements at Camp Lewallen, the summer camp site of the Southeast Missouri Area Council of Boy Scouts, has been launched and funds to assist are being pledged; the program provides for the construction of eight tent floors and bases.

1913

Circuit Court convenes in Jackson in the morning; Judge Frank Kelly calls upon the Rev. Clarence Burton to open the court with a prayer; this is the first time court has ever been opened in this manner in Cape Girardeau County, so far as is known.

Yesterday, about 800 people assembled at Hanover Lutheran Church to help celebrate the 25th anniversary of the dedication of the house of worship that is now being used; the Rev. O.R. Heuschen of Uniontown, Mo., preached the morning sermon in the German language; he was pastor of the congregation when the church was built in 1887-88.

-- Sharon K. Sanders