Out of the past: July 8

1991

THEBES, Ill. -- The Illinois Department of Transportation opens 2.8 miles of realigned Highway 3 between Gale and Thebes; in addition to a new highway, motorists also have a scenic view of the Mississippi River as they travel the new road.

This year's SEMO District Fair catalog will undergo various changes from previous years before being released to the public in the middle of this month; the cover design, possibly for the first time ever, will feature an artist's drawing; local artist Don Greenwood was chosen to create the cover art.

1966

The first week of Medicare hasn't brought about a rush by elderly citizens to gain admission to Cape Girardeau hospitals, administrators here said; they report the admission rate of patients 65 and older has been about normal since the federal insurance plan for the aged went into effect Friday; two of the three city hospitals indicate the major impact so far from Medicare has been an increase in paperwork.

Unless the airlines strike ceases soon, many businesses here will be suffering from a lack of merchandise normally flown in by Ozark Air Lines air express and freight.

1941

Establishment of a permanent branch office of the county collector's office in Cape Girardeau has been virtually assured after actions taken yesterday by the county court and the city council; acting on the petition of County Collector W.F. Bergmann, the court voted to provide funds for materials used by the office, such as the necessary books and supplies; the council agreed to provide for an office in the Common Pleas Courthouse.

CHESTER, Ill. -- Working with a falling stage in the Mississippi River, a crew of men, including two professional divers, speeds up operations in an effort to float the steamer Golden Eagle, which sank near here after ramming a submerged piling June 14.

1916

In anticipation of the great crowds that are expected to attend the closing activities of the Eli Forsythe evangelistic campaign, the sides of the tabernacle are removed; the walls will be converted into seats to accommodate those in attendance.

Arnold Keller, the west-side Dutchtown merchant, is retiring from business; he has traded his stock of goods to John Cotner of New Wells for a farm; the farm Keller traded for is the old Guinter place, about three and a half miles west of the town; it is a good one of something like 140 acres, 37 of which are in the hills and the remainder in the gently sloping bottoms at the foot of the hills.

-- Sharon K. Sanders