Out of the past: May 13

1991

During her first trip home since her April flight aboard the space shuttle Atlantis, astronaut Linda Godwin visits with students at Jackson, Oak Ridge and Southeast Missouri State University; during her visits to area schools, Godwin is talking about more than just the mission, she's also telling students what she did with her education after leaving Cape Girardeau County.

For the first time since it began providing a subsidy for emergency ambulance service in 1965, the Cape Girardeau County Commission decided this year to bid the contract; two bids are received, but it appears Cape County Private Ambulance Service will continue to serve the county for at least three more years.

1966

The two-day 12th annual Veterans of World War I and Auxiliary State convention kicks off here; featured speakers at the meeting are Col. Herbert M. Houston of Washington, D.C., the national commander of Veterans of World War I, and Joseph S. Withington of De Soto, Missouri, the state department commander of Veterans of World War I.

Organization of a Cape County Governmental Study Association was perfected yesterday with the adoption of a constitution and bylaws and the election of a nine-member board of directors; the group will promote efficiency and economy in government, foster public interest in government and conduct research into government policies.

1941

Four nailers, men who do nothing but drive nails as fast as they can, are attracting some attention at the Leming Lumber Co. mill; they are professional nail drivers, and they drive nails into boards like they are driving so many carpet tacks; members of the crew, all from Leesville, Louisiana, are being used to turn out a large order of doors for Leming.

In a move to limit the placing of combustible roofs on Cape Girardeau buildings, the city council passes an ordinance providing that all roofing on houses and other buildings constructed in the city in the future must be fireproof.

1916

Hugo Lang, for many years an employee of the N.S. Weiler jewelry store, purchases the stock of goods from Mrs. Weiler and takes charge at once.

One of the first picnics by the young folks this season is given when Mrs. D.V. Whitledge takes her Sunday-school class of the Presbyterian Church on an outing to Cape Rock; the girls and their chaperones start off on their walk early in the morning, arriving at the camping place around 9 a.m.; they spend the day romping about the woods, gathering flowers and otherwise enjoying the pleasures of nature.

-- Sharon K. Sanders