Out of the past 6/2/14

1989

A two-alarm fire early in the morning destroys a landmark downtown business building; the blaze, of undetermined origin, destroys Uncle Ralph's Furniture and the building it was in at the southwest corner of Spanish and Independence streets; the building was more than 100 years old.

A final agreement between Cape Girardeau County and the Missouri Department of Conservation was signed yesterday, clearing the way for construction of a nature center/regional headquarters in the county's North Park.

1964

The Cape Girardeau Police Department is considering the question of liability insurance protection as it relates to firing range practice; the owner of the property on which the firing takes place, R.B. Potashnick, has requested there be insurance coverage against possible lawsuit in the event of a firearms accident.

LUTESVILLE-MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- Gene Ward, chairman of the Bollinger County Development Co., says most initial hiring for the new factory operation in the old shoe factory building here is complete; about 20 employees have been hired for Magnus Manufacturing Co.

1939

Members of the board of Campster School District, southwest of Cape Girardeau, are awaiting approval on an application for WPA labor to build a two-room school structure this summer and fall at the location of the present building; in April the district approved a proposal to issue $8,000 bonds toward the project.

Ed Brown is vigorously defending his crown as champion killer of poisonous snakes in this county; in two days he exterminated 12 copperheads, some large; it seems that the vicinity of the Brown farm is the copperhead hangout of the county.

1914

Two street-paving contracts were awarded last night by the city council; Harmon Loeffle will pave Frederick Street between William and Merriwether streets, while John Rouse will improve Henderson Avenue between William Street and the Cape Girardeau Northern tracks.

Freda Hasslinger of the Sorosis Society was declared the winner yesterday of the declamatory contests for girls, winning the Faculty Medal at the Normal School; she won over Lucile Farrar, Edith Roberts, Blanche Cline, Parthena Baker and Elsie Miller.

-- Sharon K. Sanders