Out of the past: Nov. 20

1991

Thunderstorms that rumbled across Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois yesterday dropped heavy rain and caused flash flooding in some low-lying areas; 5.54 inches of rain fell at the municipal airport; during the heaviest rains in the afternoon, many street intersections in Cape Girardeau and most of Main Street in Scott City quickly were flooded, but the water receded once the rain stopped.

The latest candidates to file petitions for election to the Cape Girardeau City Council -- Melvin Gateley and Dr. Melvin Kasten -- are urging cooperation among citizens and local government to benefit the city and generate economic growth.

1966

The new East Wing of Southeast Missouri Hospital is dedicated in Masonic ceremonies that include the laying of a cornerstone; Jack L. Oliver, chairman of the hospital's board of trustees, serves as grand orator for the Masonic rites that consecrate the building to service of humanity.

The Rev. Oscar A. Gerken, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Cape Girardeau, announces he has declined a call to become pastor of a Lutheran mission near Jacksonville, Florida; the voter assembly of Trinity requested last week Gerken decline the call and remain here.

1941

Thanksgiving Day. Turning aside from the usual hustle and bustle, Girardeans observe the 1941 Thanksgiving with an almost complete suspension of business; a union worship service, sponsored by the Ministerial Alliance, is conducted at the Church of the Nazarene in the morning; delivering the Thanksgiving sermon is the Rev. C.L. Stanley, rector of Christ Episcopal Church.

Forty flying cadets in training at Sikeston, Missouri, are brought to Cape Girardeau by automobile and are guests in homes here and at Jackson for Thanksgiving dinner; the cadets also are among guests at Houck Field Stadium in the afternoon, when the Teachers College football team trims the Carbondale, Illinois, Maroons, 14-7.

1916

Cape Girardeau Business College is now in its new home on the second floor of the new Buckner-Ragsdale building, at the corner of Broadway and Main Street; president C.P. Coley calls the school to order in the morning and, after an hour of informal talks by ministers and businessmen, the usual work is taken up.

Barney Kraft is selected by the Cape Girardeau City Council to head the new fire department, effective Dec. 1; Casey Ransom, a fireman for 17 months and considered one of the best, most able-bodied of the firefighters, fails to be elected to the new force; Leo Schultz takes Ransom's place.

-- Sharon K. Sanders