Out of the past: July 4

1998

Everything from fireworks to mud volleyball are employed to help area residents celebrate the Fourth of July; both Cape Girardeau and Jackson hold celebrations; parking is difficult to find as thousands flock to Jackson City Park to view bed races and volleyball; at Arena Park in Cape Girardeau, the crowd isn't as large, but it is steady throughout the day, from a 10 a.m. parade through an evening band concert and fireworks.

Leon C. Brinkopf, 71, of Cape Girardeau, died Thursday at a local hospital; he played professional baseball five years, signing with the Chicago Cubs organization; he played at Los Angeles in the Pacific Coast League, where he was the league's most valuable player; he also played with the Cubs part of two seasons before a back injury forced him to retire; he taught and coached in the Cape Girardeau Central school system 30 years; he coached the 1964 Central High team that won the Missouri state baseball championship.

1973

Area residents take to the parks, nearby recreation spots, the water and backyards as they celebrate Independence Day in a variety of ways; Girardeans flock to the city's parks, especially Capaha for picnics and swimming and Arena Park, where the Jaycees hold their third annual Fourth of July celebration; the Jaycees report this year's celebration brings out about 3,000 people to the grandstands for a free band concert and fireworks display.

The Jackson Jaycees hold a fireworks display to celebrate Independence Day, or at least halfway hold one, at Jackson City Park; but a display accidentally goes off on the ground, rather than the air, setting off about half of the fireworks prematurely; Ronald C. Hitt, Jackson Jaycees president, and five other Jaycees are in the area when the accident occurs, but as soon as they see what is happening, they run for shelter and all escape injury.

1948

With Independence Day falling on a Sunday, observation of the holiday shifts to Monday; "Freedom and Democracy Sunday" is observed at First Christian Church; a special order of worship features a responsive reading based on the preamble to the Declaration of Independence, the preamble to the Constitution of the United States and the charter of the United Nations, with appropriate Scripture readings.

The Cape Girardeau Camp of United War Veterans No. 34, Department of Missouri, meets at Vandeven Hall in the afternoon; C.H. Denman of Sikeston, Missouri, is installed as junior vice commander, succeeding John K. Ramey, who died in January; in a discussion of the extent of information being given in schools about the Spanish-American War, it is emphasized that there were 450,00 voluntary enlistments during the war with Spain, the Philippine Insurrection and the Boxer Rebellion in China; there are about 108,000 veterans living, and the average age is 73.

1923

Ten thousand persons swarm Fairground Park to help the American Legion post celebrate the nation's independence; it is one of the greatest gatherings ever witnessed here, but the throng is well handled and, under a bright, warm sun, the crowd enjoys a day full of diversified entertainment, including automobile races, a baseball game won by the hometown Capahas and pyrotechnics; one disappointment was the failure of dirigible C-14 from Scott Field to make its scheduled appearance.

Jackson's Fourth of July celebration and community picnic pass off quietly and without accident; the parade in the morning is "better than expected," and other features of the affair are enjoyed as much as the 94-degree temperature in the shade allows; on the picnic grounds at City Park, the orators are G.C. Fulbright and R.H. Limbaugh; late in the evening the white mule begins to kick and causes the police some trouble.

-- Sharon K. Sanders