Out of the past: Sept. 8

1990

While the 135th annual SEMO District Fair will officially start tomorrow, midway rides open this afternoon, the first time in the exposition's history the midway opens early.

Intense lightning, a dead tree and a burned jumper wire on a high-voltage distribution utility line are being blamed for power outages that occurred in the Cape Girardeau area late yesterday afternoon and mid-day today; the storm is a costly one for Union Electric, as lightning caused major damage to one of the large transformers in the utility's Viaduct Court substation.

1965

Settlement in a long-delayed and much-disputed city annexation situation apparently was reached yesterday with the city council's acceptance of a compromise plan, by which two large chunks of territory on the north would be left outside the city limits; the Nell Holcomb School District will retain about two-thirds of the territory it would have lost under the previous plan; in addition, a large section northwest of the city, between Highway 61 and Route W -- part of the Kage School District -- also will be spared annexation.

The Missouri Mental Health Commission has passed up sites offered at Cape Girardeau for one of nine Mentally Retarded Centers and decided on a location at Sikeston, Missouri, adjacent to the Delta Community Hospital.

1940

A committee of officials of the B'Nai Israel Synagogue here is making contacts to secure a new congregational leader to succeed Rabbi Gershon J. Feigon, who recently concluded his work here; he now is in Clarksdale, Mississippi.

Mrs. Iona Denton Haw continues to conduct services at Maple Avenue Methodist Church, where she has been in charge since the death of her husband, the Rev. J. Linn Haw, on May 18; in addition, she drives her car early each Monday morning to be present at the opening hour at the rural school she is teaching in Franklin County, near St. Clair, Missouri.

1915

J.W. Phillips, organizer and president of the Phillips Lumber & Fuel Co., one of the best known firms in Cape Girardeau, has sold his stock to J.H. Himmelberger.

Vogelsang Brothers, contractors, are rushing the work on the new Central school building on Pacific Street; the plastering on the main floor is dry enough to begin putting on the wood finish; plasterers started on the second floor Monday and should finish up in a few days, then the third floor will be started.

-- Sharon K. Sanders