Out of the past: March 17

1993

From doorknobs to bathrooms and ramps to elevators, meeting federal requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act will prove costly for Southeast Missouri State University; it's estimated it will cost $1,030,000 over a two-year period to make all the improvements needed for the school's academic buildings and academic-supported facilities to meet federal requirements.

Cape Girardeau attorney Don Dickerson and St. Louis newspaper editor Patricia Washington are named to the board of regents of Southeast Missouri State University by Gov. Mel Carnahan.

1968

The Rev. Ellis T. Rottmann of Forest Green, Missouri, has accepted the call to become pastor of Hanover Lutheran Church; he will be formally installed on March 24; his most recent posting was as pastor of Salem Lutheran Church at Forest Green; before that he was an overseas missionary, serving in Brazil.

An eight-day revival begins at First Baptist Church in Cape Girardeau and will continue through March 24; the Rev. John Tierney of Greenville, South Carolina, is the evangelist, and Jim Lancaster of Tampa, Florida, is the music leader.

1943

The street car rail removal and salvage project in Cape Girardeau will be halted Monday, says City Commissioner Frank Batchelor; one reason the WPA is taking its employees off the job is that it has been found to be rather expensive for the amount of scrap iron for war use secured; 22 men had been employed on the job, with the most recent work being done on Main Street south of the shoe factory.

St. Louis Browns' manager Luke Sewell inspects the field at Fairground Park in the morning and finds the outfield just right for limbering up exercises, light batting practice and throwing; on hand are eight pitchers, two catchers (including Sewell), six outfielders and one outfielder; the players dress at Houck Field House and walk the three blocks to the park.

1918

Dr. E.E. Reed, president of Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri, preaches at First Presbyterian Church in Cape Girardeau in the morning; the Rev. Thomas Bateman of Shelby, North Carolina, was recently called to the pastorate of the church, which he has accepted; he will be in Cape Girardeau May 1.

Jacob Ruebel, 77, a veteran of the Civil War and one of the best known men in Cape Girardeau, died at his home last night; Ruebel was born in France and emigrated to America when a young man; during the Civil War, he cast his side with the North and fought valiantly to the end; afterward, he took up farming, but retired to Cape Girardeau several years ago; he is survived by a wife and several children.

-- Sharon K. Sanders