Out of the past: July 10

1997

A legislative committee has chosen Charleston, Missouri, as the top site for a state prison; but the 12-member committee of House and Senate lawmakers is deadlocked over whether to recommend Licking in south-central Missouri or Trenton in the north-central part of the state as the second site for a prison.

BENTON, Mo. -- Circuit Judge Anthony Heckemeyer yesterday issued a temporary restraining order blocking plans to tear down the historic Mississippi County Courthouse in Charleston; Heckemeyer acted at the request of Mississippi County farmer Hugh Hunter Byrd, who filed a petition seeking an injunction to save the fire-damaged building; while county commissioners want to build a new courthouse, Byrd and others want to see the old building restored.

1972

The Senate has given its approval for appropriations of $88,658,000 for flood control and water development projects in Missouri, including continued studies of two proposed projects in the immediate Cape Girardeau area; an appropriation of $25,000 could be made with Senate approval for continuation of general investigation of the proposed Mississippi River small boat harbor within the city of Cape Girardeau.

The present school tax levy of $3.77 on the $100 assessed valuation with the same distribution is approved by the Cape Girardeau Board of Education; breakdown of the levy is: teachers fund, $2.12; incidental fund, 98 cents; building fund, 15 cents, and debt service fund, 52 cents.

1947

The projected trade by the City of Cape Girardeau to the federal government of a site in Courthouse Park for the present post office building at Broadway and Fountain Street strikes a snag; Federal Judge Rubey M. Hulen rules out the government's proposed condemnation order and holds that proceedings should follow the usual course required by law; attorneys say this will entail the putting up of funds by the government in court to pay a fair value for the park site, filing of intervening petitions by those interested in seeking a share of the funds and the trial of the different claims.

Bids are being taken for the construction of an annex to the south and west portions of Trinity Lutheran School building on North Pacific Street; the annex will have a basement and first floor with four rooms on each floor; the rooms on the first floor will be used for classrooms and other facilities, while the four in the basement will be for additional bowling alleys.

1922

The cornerstone for the new Cape County Home was laid yesterday afternoon in the presence of a crowd estimated at nearly 2,000; the Rev. Charles A. Swift, chairman of the meeting, tells those attending that no citizen should ever refer to the place as a "poor farm" or an "alms house," because it is not a poor place conducted by a poor county, but a respectable, comfortable home supplied by a compassionate people for those who must seek its shelter.

One thousand and seven men, members of the 140th Infantry, are under arms in Southeast Missouri in the armories of the National Guard, awaiting orders to move to prevent disorders and destruction of property in the railroad shopmen's strike; orders to mobilize every company in the regiment were received here at 5 p.m. Saturday, and by 9 a.m. the next day every company and detachment in the regiment was in its armory.

-- Sharon K. Sanders