Out of the past: March 23

1992

Complaints against Cape Girardeau police officers last year reached their highest level in seven years. A report shows the number of complaints filed against officers in 1991 totaled 11; that compares with 10 in 1987; nine in 1990, 1988, 1986 and 1985 and eight in 1989.

A telethon to benefit preservation of Cape Girardeau's historic Old Lorimier Cemetery raised more than $10,000 yesterday; the Historic Preservation Commission and the Historical Association of Greater Cape Girardeau hosted the telethon to raise money to erect a fence around the cemetery.

1967

M.E. Leming Jr., chairman of the board of directors of M.E. Leming Lumber Co., and a member of a family instrumental in the early development of Cape Girardeau, dies of a heart attack at his home; he was 67 years old, and his death was unexpected.

Cape Girardeau, one of 22 finalists across the nation, loses its bid for All-America City rating, but receives honorable mention in the contest conducted annually by National Municipal League and "Look" magazine.

1942

Contracts have been let and work begins on clearing approximately 10 acres of timber from the Consolidated School of Aviation Inc. airport on Highway 74 south of Cape Girardeau; the ground will be leveled as soon as conditions permit. All fences are being taken down and trees of adjoining land also are being cut.

The Jackson Chamber of Commerce unanimously agrees to sponsor the Jackson Day pageant and a horse show in charge of the American Legion; for the latter, $500 is to be raised by subscription to provide purses. In connection with the pageant, the men agree to support it as thoroughly as they have Homecomers, which won't be held again until after the war.

1917

The ladies of the Cemetery Association have issued a notice they will receive bids from cement contractors for the construction of a pergola over the Lorimier graves in the old cemetery; the pergola will cover the graves of Don Louis Lorimier and his wife, and in this way protect the marble slabs that have rested there for over a century; the lettering on the slabs had become almost defaced by the elements, and the association recently had them re-cut and cleaned.

The drag-line camp has been moved from near Dutchtown to a point about a mile northeast of Allenville. The caterpillar machine, digging the muck ditch that will help drain the swamp, is in sight of that town.

-- Sharon K. Sanders