Out of the past: Jan. 8

1991

Fifty-two Naval reservists, members of a fleet hospital unit, left the Naval Reserve Center here for St. Louis by chartered bus yesterday; they are scheduled to catch a flight to Fort Dix, New Jersey, en route to deployment in the Persian Gulf; another 38 reservists, members of a Seabees group based at the reserve center here, are being activated for Operation Desert Shield.

Promptly at 10 a.m. yesterday, over a dozen firefighters and a convoy of two fire engines, three personal pickup trucks and the fire chief's car -- all loaded with fire hoses, equipment, supplies and furnishings -- moved into the new Fire Station Number Two at 378 S. Mount Auburn Road.

1966

Frigid blasts from the North, which have been snubbing the Cape Girardeau area for most of the winter, finally make their appearance; the mercury at the municipal airport tumbles to a low in the morning of 13 degrees, while at Jackson it is 11 degrees.

R.B. Oliver III has filed as a Democratic candidate for Cape Girardeau County prosecuting attorney; the incumbent, Democrat Bill D. Burlison, hasn't refiled as of yet; also filing yesterday was Roland G. Busch, Democrat, who is seeking re-election as magistrate judge.

1941

There has been considerable talk in Jackson of late caused by the citing into court of several taxi drivers by state highway troopers on a charge of violating the automobile code of the state; it is claimed no taxi driver has a right to carry passengers between Cape Girardeau and Jackson, as there are two established bus routes between the two towns.

The U.S. fleet, operated by the U.S. Engineers in this vicinity along the Mississippi River, is in winter anchorage in Cape Rock harbor; there are 123 pieces of equipment, including the steamers, dredges, barges and other floating equipment; 16 men are quartered on the fleet to care for it.

1916

W.H. Whitnell, formerly pastor of the Methodist church and then lawyer and hypnotist, moved recently to Joplin, Missouri, where he is running a boarding house with his wife; two months ago, he came to Cape Girardeau and established a law practice with Judge J.F. Doris, later opening an office alone; after trying his hand selling his hypnotic skills, Whitnell sold everything here and moved with his family to Joplin.

Donald Black, 14, and Sam Duckworth, 13, are resting nicely at their homes; both were injured last night while coasting on North Pacific Street near the Normal School.

-- Sharon K. Sanders