Out of the past: July 28

1999

The small bit of rain that fell on parts of Southeast Missouri Tuesday cooled the area a little, but sweltering temperatures in the mid-90s are expected to continue to be the norm; the heat was blamed Monday for the death of Leeman E. Gerecke, 69, of Gordonville; he died while working outside near his home.

Two staff changes have been announced by Cape Girardeau Police Chief Rick Hetzel; Patrolman Bob Barker will become a school resource officer in the middle of August, and Cpl. Rick Schmidt will take charge of the Southside Substation on Good Hope Street; Barker will be based at Schultz School, but will also work with elementary schools along with Cpl. Barry Hovis.

1974

St. Vincent’s College is saying hello to its new president and goodbye to its old president; the new college head, the Rev. Alphonse Hoernig, arrived here early this month from Los Angeles; the outgoing president, the Rev. Robert E. Lamy, will be leaving this week for a presidency at St. Vincent’s Seminary in Beaumont, Texas.

The First Baptist Church of Delta, which is 74 years old, plans to build all new church facilities on a five-acre tract on Route N north of Delta; the building will contain 13,990 square feet of masonry construction with laminated beams in the auditorium; it will be air conditioned, have wall-to-wall carpets in the auditorium and nurseries, cushioned pews and new pulpit furniture, a balcony and a 31,000-square-foot graveled parking lot.

1949

In a double-jointed action yesterday, the Cape Girardeau City Council placed all city employees under provisions of the State Workmen’s Compensation Law and then took out liability insurance to protect itself against damages in case of injury of others caused by city vehicles or equipment.

Construction of a ship canal from Cape Girardeau to New Madrid, an airline distance of approximately 50 miles, to avoid use of the present torturous 120-mile stretch of the Mississippi River between the two towns, is advocated during a conference of Army engineers, barge line representatives and shippers at Memphis, Tennessee; the suggestion is made by Capt. L.L. Sorrels of St. Louis, transportation superintendent of the Federal Barge Lines.

1924

Home-manufactured hot tamales in Cape Girardeau have increased in price — the first time in 30 years; Frank Carroll, widely known Black vendor of the fiery tamale, has informed local consumers he has raised his price from 20 cents to 30 cents per dozen; the increase in price of meal, shucks, chicken, beef and chili peppers hascaused the advance, Carroll says.

Six quarts of “white mule,” 80 barrels of mash, 500 bottles of beer and one still are taken in two raids made in Cape Girardeau County early in the morning by U.S. Deputy Marshal A.C. King, Deputy Sheriff Ed Denzel and Officer Robert Wilson; two men are arrested.

Southeast Missourian librarian Sharon Sanders compiles the information for the daily Out of the Past column. She also writes a blog called “From the Morgue” that showcases interesting historical stories from the newspaper. Check out her blog at semissourian.com/history.