Out of the past: July 27

1990

Assistant City Attorney Allen Moss Jr. has announced a new, tougher policy in dealing with municipal drug offenses; anyone arrested or charged with a drug offense faces 30 days in jail if they refuse to cooperate with authorities on providing the source of the drugs.

WISER Inc.'s board of directors has initiated steps that will close the "safe house" center within 90 days; the Women's Information Service (WISER) lost a major funding source last week, prompting the decision to close.

1965

Formal application for a grant of $1,082,000 to help finance the six-fold enlargement of Kent Library is expected to be made with the State Commission on Higher Education before the end of the month; that amount is one-third of the anticipated cost of the improvement -- $3,246,000.

William W. Saner, co-owner of Lee Heating Service and the Allied Modernization Co., becomes a candidate for the city council to be chosen in a special election Sept. 14.

1940

Praising the New Deal, especially for its development of a program beneficial to farmers and for the Social Security system, U.S. Sen. Harry S. Truman predicted last evening the present administration under President Franklin D. Roosevelt will continue to be in charge of the nation's affairs; the senator, a candidate for the Democratic nomination for re-election, spoke at the Courthouse Park following a dinner in his honor at the Hotel Marquette.

The main drive in the new city park, where the fair will be held in September, is to be improved shortly; with nearly half a mile of 24-foot amesite roadway to be put down, the job may be started by Monday; the drive will extend from the Arena Building to U.S. 61.

1915

Louis Houck, Cape Girardeau's most distinguished citizen, comes close to losing his life when he is thrown from his buggy; he strikes on his face, and a serious gash several inches long is cut in his forehead; the accident occurs on the Benton Road, directly in front of the south gate to the Charles Juden home place; he is being treated at Saint Francis Hospital.

Fire on Sunday morning destroyed the historic building formerly occupied as the Orphans' Home on 26th Street at Cairo, Illinois; the building many years ago stood on 4th Street, and during the Civil War was used by Gen. U.S. Grant as headquarters for Union officers.

-- Sharon K. Sanders