Out of the past: Aug. 28

1999

There appears to be no activity on a platform situated in the middle of the Mississippi River at Cape Girardeau; however, a handful of workers are performing highly-complicated tests to ensure the Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge doesn’t fall down if an earthquake ever occurs; since mid-July, a 15-member crew has performed jet-grouting work to repair mud fissures in a section of bedrock in the middle of the river; the fissures, caused by centuries of erosion, must be found and filled before bridge piers are built because of the bridge’s seismic design.

Narvol A. Randol Sr., who distinguished himself as a tireless leader in banking, the military and service to his community and church, died yesterday at a local hospital at 83; bank president, a brigadier general in Missouri National Guard, mayor of Cape Girardeau and a member of 17 boards and foundations during his working life, Randol was a “leader’s leader” held in the highest respect by those who knew him.

1974

In a report yesterday to an arena planning group, Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce executive vice president Robert B. Hendrix noted, “Forty-six percent of all such sports-civic complexes made a profit last year”; bolstered by the report, the group — made up of city officials, Southeast Missouri State University officials and civic club representatives — took another step in reviving a plan for a sports-civic arena for Cape Girardeau, naming committee chairmen for feasibility studies.

If a lot of Republicans have their way, State Auditor John D. Ashcroft will become Missouri governor and Gov. Christopher S. “Kit” Bond will move up to the U.S. Senate; that was the thinking last night of Southeast Missouri Republicans who gathered in Cape Girardeau for their 10th Congressional District organizational meeting.

1949

Resignation of the Rev. Robert Fisher as pastor of Foursquare Church in Jackson was announced yesterday; he has pastored the local church the past 18 months; his resignation was due to his health; Fisher intends to take a complete rest for six months before resuming his duties in the ministry; the Rev. Pearl Mabrey and the Rev. Mary Jane Long, who recently conducted a revival at the church, will remain as pastors.

Redecoration of the office and study at First Christian Church in Cape Girardeau will be completed this week; lumber donated by William J. Kies and labor by the pastor, the Rev. Vernon A. Hammond, have added two fine storage cabinets and shelving for the pastor’s library.

1924

With the arrest of six more men, charged with complicity in the holdup of the Bank of Vanduser several weeks ago, authorities believe that the gang responsible for the robbery and the theft of a number of automobiles in Scott County within the last few months has been broken up; eight men are in custody in connection with the bank robbery, three more being arrested by police in Illinois and another three by Scott County Deputy Sheriff Tom Scott and Deputy Wilkerson in Charleston, West Virginia.

Working at a rate of approximately 150 feet per day, Keller & Haas, contractors, say they will complete the paving of West Broadway, from West End Boulevard to Perry Avenue, so that the slab of concrete will “cure” in time to be opened to traffic for the Cape Girardeau Fair, Sept. 18.

Southeast Missourian librarian Sharon Sanders compiles the information for the daily Out of the Past column. She also writes a weekend column called “From the Morgue” that showcases interesting historical stories from the newspaper.