Out of the past: June 19

1991

The aging Cape Girardeau Mississippi River bridge is getting a closeup inspection of its steel superstructure this week by bridge inspectors with the Missouri Highway and Transportation Department; the five-man crew is examining the 65-year-old bridge to determine if there are any serious problems with the integrity of steel beams and members that support the bridge and its floor.

Cape Girardeau city officials last week visited a Texas-based commuter airline company in the hopes the trip will generate additional air service at the municipal airport.

1966

The Rev. Oscar A. Gerken, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Cape Girardeau, has been elected first vice president of the Missouri District of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.

The State Board of Training Schools holds its regular monthly meeting in the law offices of Raymond H. Vogel at Cape Girardeau; the board transacts general business primarily relating to the boys' school at Boonville, Missouri, and the girls' school at Chillicothe, Missouri.

1941

The American Legion Fourth of July picnic is back at Fairground Park; the Louis K. Juden Post decided Wednesday to move the picnic back to Fairground Park, after having announced plans to hold it at the new city park; the move was made because of all the work being done at the new park to prepare it for the district fair in September.

As a precautionary measure to assure the stoppage of smallpox, virtually all residents of a neighborhood on South Fountain Street have been vaccinated against the disease by authority of the City Board of Health, the health officer and other community leaders; 31 people were treated during the clinic.

1916

Deputy Sheriff George Summers yesterday raided a craps game down near the old Smelterville plant, arresting eight of the 35 men who were taking part; all were so engrossed in the game, they didn't see Summers coming, but when he announced his presence by shouting, "You all are under arrest," they scattered to the four winds.

A team of horses drawing a heavy ice wagon of the Blue Ribbon Co. dashes up to and hurtles over the embankment at the corner of North and Fountain streets in the morning, after trotting away from a house where the driver, Alec Rodgers, was delivering ice; both horses are damaged somewhat, one cutting an artery; but Dr. J.S. Leher is quickly on the spot and sews him up in time to save him.

-- Sharon K. Sanders