Out of the past: Dec. 17

1990

Saint Francis Medical Center announces it will begin an open-heart surgery program by April 1; Southeast Missouri Hospital has been doing that surgery since October 1984.

By a unanimous vote, the Jackson Board of Aldermen selects Capt. Larry Koenig, a 14-year member of the Jackson Police Department, to replace police chief Robert "Red" Clifton; the latter will retire at the end of the year.

1965

In support of a resolution passed at a national mental-health conference in Chicago this week, Sen. Albert M. Spradling Jr. of Cape Girardeau says he intends to introduce two bills to help provide financing for community mental-health centers. One measure would be enabling legislation to give counties, or possibly groups of counties, taxing authority to help support the operation of the centers; the other would authorize financial participation in the operation by the state.

The State College Indians rope the New Mexico Highland Cowboys, outscoring the visiting basketball team 111-96 at Houck Field House. Pacing the locals is Kermit Meystedt with 44 points.

1940

A total of 1,143 persons paid admission last night to see the wrestling matches in the Arena Building, sponsored by the Cape Girardeau Police Department. In the main feature of the three matches, champion Ray Steele of Lincoln, Nebraska, successfully defended his world title by defeating challenger Len Macaluso in 31 minutes and 15 seconds.

There will be no hunger in Cape Girardeau Christmas Day; that's apparent with the disclosure by the Rev. Walt E. Hill, director of the Community Christmas Club, of the makeup of each of the nearly 400 baskets which will be distributed to the needy of the city the day before Christmas. Each basket contains sugar, potatoes, coffee, oleomargarine, lard or bacon, bread, oranges, cabbage, milk, beef roast and cans of vegetables and fruit.

1915

Irma Hoffmeister of Jackson passes through Cape Girardeau on her way home from Columbia, Missouri, where she has been attending Stephens College for Girls. Her parents, Mr. and Mrs. C.W. Hoffmeister, drive over from Jackson by auto to meet her and accompany her home.

For safety reasons, Whit Dodge, foreman of the carpenter gang, and his crew of six men are moving the Frisco depot at Delta back from the track some 20 or 25 feet. There was hardly room for express and baggage trucks to pass between the train and the depot.

-- Sharon K. Sanders