Out of the past: June 18

1999

The FBI will conduct an independent investigation into a clash between police and a crowd of about 150 that occurred a week ago, says Rick Hetzel, Cape Girardeau police chief; no timetable has been set for when the FBI will begin its work, but Hetzel says it should start relatively soon; the FBI will be looking into possible legal and civil rights violations from the near riot in the 400 block of Good Hope Street that resulted in nine arrests and injuries to six officers.

Ten hours after the call arrived at Jackson Fire Department, Fire Chief Bad Golden and Cape Girardeau County Coroner John Carpenter offer some answers about a fatal fire that destroyed a Jackson apartment building yesterday; James Pack, 31, of Jackson, died in the fire, which investigators think began in his apartment; foul play isn’t suspected.

1974

Girls at Cape Girardeau Central High School in the school year ahead will have the opportunity to participate in three interscholastic sports — volleyball, golf and tennis — through action taken by the school board last night; the board unanimously adopted a recommendation to initiate the three girls’ interscholastic programs made by superintendent Charles E. House, high school administrators and coaches; Eugene Sifford, Central High principal, said the administration has been reluctant to initiate girls’ athletics because of the lack of funds and facilities and the rising cost of transportation.

Leon C. Brinkopf, a former assistant principal at Cape Girardeau Central High School, will become assistant principal at the junior high in the 1974-75 school year; he will fill the office being vacated by Lanny W. Barnes, who was elevated to the post of junior high principal in May.

1949

Using the Cape Girardeau tornado as a convincing example, Cecil Davis, the American Cross’s disaster director for the West Coast, told the Kiwanis Club last night just what are the functions of his organization in the time of such disasters; transferred to Cape Girardeau to direct the rehabilitation of those affected by the tornado, Davis said 244 tornado-stricken families here have applied for rehabilitation assistance; awards have been made thus far to 43 families; so far, $76,852.31 has been expended on rehabilitation.

Cape Girardedau sends its delegation of 12 youths to Boys State by bus to Kemper Military Academy at Boonville; attending are Ralph Wimp, Don Frye, Don Morgan, Jim Hempstead, Don Brod, Bob Vogelsang, Carla Leone, Joe Blair, Howard Werner, Bill Pollock, Charles Bowman and Harold Hager.

1924

The summer recreation plan for grade school and high school pupils in Cape Girardeau, which is being tried out this summer by Hap Bernard, director of athletics in the summer schools, is meeting with success, but he indicates parents and children aren’t taking full advantage; Bernard says there is a misconception that the activities “take the form of tiresome drills, calisthenics and the like”; however, he explains older boys play baseball at Fairground Park, and girls have indoor baseball and volleyball games at Central High School, while younger children play any number of interesting running games.

The steamer Cape Girardeau docks here at 10:10 a.m., after a trip marred by exceedingly heavy rains; the boat carries 25 round-trip passengers besides the following, who get off here: Mr. and Mrs. E.E. Pair, Dr. Joseph A. Serena, Mrs. Koerner and three children and Mrs. Stevenson and daughter; three Buick touring cars for the local dealer are included in the unusually large load of freight carried by the boat.

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.