Out of the past: Feb. 27

1991

Legislators from Southeast Missouri are optimistic the General Assembly will pass a law this year designating English as the official language of Missouri; Sen. Danny Staples, D-Eminence, and Rep. Larry Thomason, D-Kennett, are handling identical bills in their respective chambers that would enable Missouri to join 18 others states designating an official language.

A bridge sounding crew with the Missouri Highway and Transportation Department bored for soil samples yesterday at the future site of the Interstate 55 overpass for Highway 74, about 1,700 feet south of Bloomfield Road.

1966

In observance of the first Sunday in the Lenten season, the service of Holy Communion is held in the morning at Centenary Methodist Church; assisting the Rev. J. Ray Trotter, pastor, is the Rev. Clyde E. Byrd, minister of education at Centenary, and Dr. R.C. Holliday.

The Rev. Max D. Sullivan, pastor of St. Mark Lutheran Mission, says that those who have been worshiping here are being requested to sign a petition in order that the mission might be organized into a congregation; the board of American Missions of the Lutheran Church in America requires that such a petition have the signatures of at least 50 adults; Sullivan says the group is thinking about organizing on the Sunday after Easter.

1941

BENTON, Mo. -- In an investigation of reported efforts to drive black farm workers from the vicinity of Oran, Missouri, Scott County Prosecuting Attorney David Blanton says he will file an information against one man charging him with mailing threatening letters; both Joyce Emerson and R.Q. Black of Morley, Missouri, who own farms near Oran, have received threatening letters warning them to dispense with black labor and tenants; signs threatening violence to black farmers have been posted in the Oran area as well.

Work is expected to start in a few days on a dwelling on Alta Vista Drive for Mr. and Mrs. R.G. Tabor of Glen Ridge, New Jersey, formerly of Cape Girardeau; the colonial structure will be a two-story brick dwelling, 44 feet long and 32 feet wide; architect for the house is A.F. Lindsay.

1916

The golden jubilee of the foundation of the Young Women's Christian Association in the United States is observed at the Centenary Methodist Church; the chapter of the organization at the Normal School has charge of the service.

Today is the first Sunday that no public religious services of any kind are held in Jackson since the war of the rebellion; every church and school has been closed down until further notice because of the diphtheria epidemic; while the situation isn't so serious as it might appear, as all cases are under control and doing well, it was deemed best to be careful.

-- Sharon K. Sanders