Out of the past: Aug. 13

1990

While Jackson prepares for the opening of the 83rd edition of the American Legion Jackson Homecomers this evening, a committee has been created to try to resolve uptown merchants' complaints about the loss of business during the week-long event; some say the festivities are outgrowing the uptown location.

President George Bush has won praise from U.S. Rep. Bill Emerson for his handling of the Persian Gulf crisis; Emerson praised the actions of Bush in sending U.S. troops to Saudi Arabia and the Persian Gulf in the wake of Iraq's invasion and continuing occupation of oil-rich Kuwait.

1965

Loren E. Smith, exterior facilities engineer for the Southwestern Bell Telephone Co., is the 18th person to file as a candidate for the city council; Smith, 36, has been a resident of Cape Girardeau 12 years and has been employed by the telephone company 17 years.

The Cape Girardeau County Court judge from the northern district and former county sheriff, Alvin F. Klaus, 64, died unexpectedly yesterday; Klaus had served Cape Girardeau County as an elected official since 1947, when he was chosen sheriff to fill an unexpired term.

1940

Stemming from seasonal complaints from truck operators, Cape Girardeau police officers have a special duty at present; they're trying to catch boys who have an appetite for watermelons as they jump aboard large loaded melon trucks moving slowly north on South Sprigg Street hill, and toss the produce to partners waiting in the weeds along nearby embankments.

An 8-foot frame house, owned by the Teachers College and occupied by the V.A. Chapman family at 714 N. Henderson Ave., will be moved less than 100 feet to a nearby lot; a fill, so tennis courts may be made larger, is to be put in at the house's original location.

1915

The downtown district has lost another valuable business institution with the closing Saturday of the Elks bar; it is said a lack of patronage caused the proprietor to shutter the doors when his liquor license expired.

Mrs. Sally Peterman, who has been unable to attend to her duties as manager of the Riverview Hotel for the past few months because of illness, leaves for a health resort, where she will remain until fully recovered; Arthur Bowman, who has charge of the renting of the Riverview, will manage the hotel until Peterman's return.

-- Sharon K. Sanders