Out of the past: July 17

1990

Local earthquake experts say there is no way to verify or discount a prediction by scientist Iben Browning of Sandia Park, New Mexico, that a severe quake will occur along the New Madrid Fault on Dec. 3.

The Cape Girardeau City Council has voted to approve the first reading of an ordinance allowing two-hour parking along both sides of Normal Avenue between Pacific Street and Henderson Avenue from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m.; parking now is limited to the outside lanes.

1965

State officials were in Cape Girardeau this week to inspect possible sites for a $300,000 center for the mentally retarded; while they wouldn't comment on Cape Girardeau's chances of obtaining the facilities, members of the Cape Girardeau Association for Retarded Children say Cape Girardeau and Sikeston, Missouri, are the only two cities under serious consideration.

Southeast Missouri Chapter No. 8 of Holy Royal Arch Masons of Missouri and Jurisdiction, Prince Hall Affiliation, recently received its charter at the organization's 93rd annual convocation in St. Louis; chapter high priest is Fred C. Lee of Cape Girardeau.

1940

Offers of sites for the location of Cape Girardeau's new federal building are announced after postmaster Nat M. Snyder formally opens bids submitted to the government; along with a section of Courthouse Park, other sites offered are Themis Street from Lorimier Street to Fountain Street; 1215-1217 Broadway; Pacific and Merriwether streets; the Broadway School tract; and Sprigg and Themis streets.

Under provisions of a new retirement plan for longtime faculty members at Teachers College, three teachers are being relieved of much of their responsibilities and work and given lighter assignments: Professor B.F. Johnson, Martha Shea and Wilhelmina Vieh.

1915

The Rice & Dore water circus, which will stage a big performance here this evening, has the worst fight of its career getting to the city from Commerce, Missouri; the two big towboats are barely able to propel the light barges through the swift current of the rising river.

Dep Barenkamp turns over management of the Cape Girardeau Capahas to John Hill, proprietor of a small restaurant on Main Street; Hill has agreed to guarantee the expenses of the team for its game with Cairo, Illinois, tomorrow; but after that, the future of the club is uncertain.

-- Sharon K. Sanders