Out of the past: July 4

1990

Thousands of people turn out for area Independence Day festivities, despite dangerously hot weather that sees the heat index climb to a scorching 116 degrees in Cape Girardeau; it marks the first time this year that temperatures at the Cape Girardeau Municipal Airport hit the 100-degree mark; around 10,000 people attend the Jackson Jaycees Fourth of July celebration in the Jackson City Park, and about 5,000 attend the Knights of Columbus-sponsored Oran (Missouri) Picnic; another 1,100 participate in the first God and Country Celebration at Arena Park.

Doug Leslie has been promoted to public works director for the city of Cape Girardeau, having previously been acting director; Leslie was hired as assistant public works director April 2 and became acting director April 16 upon the departure of then director Guy Lowes.

1965

Cape Girardeau's two-day celebration of Independence Day kicks off at Arena Park; the annual American Legion picnic includes a carnival, concessions, and car races and will climax tomorrow night with a fireworks display; because July 4 falls on a Sunday this year, the official observance of the holiday will be held Monday.

It appears that all of Jackson and a large portion of the remaining Cape Girardeau County population are on hand in the evening at City Park for the first large public fireworks display conducted in Jackson; the show, sponsored jointly by the Jackson Sesquicentennial Committee and the Jackson Jaycees, lasts an hour and 15 minutes.

1940

Business is generally suspended in Cape Girardeau, permitting residents to unite in celebration of Independence Day, which is highlighted by the American Legion's annual picnic at Fairground Park; the picnic serves as a reunion of veterans of the World War in Cape Girardeau County, who parade over the grounds in the afternoon and then sit in a body in the grandstand for the speaking program; guest speaker is Manvel H. Davis of Kansas City, a candidate for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senator and a war veteran; U.S. Sen. Harry S. Truman of Kansas City had been invited, but could not be here.

The afternoon double bill of baseball draws a crowd which packs the grandstand at Fairground Park, including around 300 county veterans; in the first game, the Illmo-Fornfelt Big Bucks end the Capahas' five game winning streak, trimming the locals 4-3; in the nightcap, the Cape Girardeau American Legion Junior team extends its winning streak in the Southeast Missouri League to seven straight, defeating the Sikeston, Missouri, club, 4-1.

1915

The highlight of the second day of the Elks' Independence Day picnic is the motorcycle race; Albert Huters wins the 10-mile jaunt on an Indian machine in 13.27; Al Mogler is second on an Excelsior, and Walter Schlueter fails to finish because of engine trouble.

Lilly Goldstein, a violist who is playing an engagement in Cape Girardeau, gives a recital of several of her best selections at the Presbyterian church in the evening; William Shivelbine accompanies her on the organ.

-- Sharon K. Sanders