Stories from Sunday, December 26, 1999

Every town should have a person of the intelligence, imagination, guts, persistence and architectural talents of John Boardman. Few do. Boardman was a principled man marked by a truly admirable streak of flinty independence. For 40 years, John Boardman practiced his profession of architecture among us. He designed countless private homes, public buildings and private businesses. To every project he brought not only his talents, but a special vision...

At 740 North Street, near Southeast Missouri State University, is the Oliver-Leming home, where Marie Elizabeth Watkins Oliver designed and hand stitched the original Missouri State Flag. "Mrs. Oliver realized that Missouri did not have a flag and since her husband was state senator, she decided to hand-design one," said David Taylor, current owner of the Oliver-Leming House. "Along with the help of her friend, Mary Kochtitzky, they came up with the design of the flag that was finally adopted."...

During the 1800s and early 1900s, steamboats offered a cheap and fast means of travel and delivery, and with strategic location for river trade, Cape Girardeau quickly became known as a bustling river town. Steamboats made their debut in Cape Girardeau in 1835 and were quickly recognized for their sturdiness as well as their elegance. ...

Even after being out of business for the past 13 years, Ozark Airlines is still remembered as a St. Louis-based regional airline that serviced Southeast Missouri for most of its 36 years in operation. The airline that was known as the "Route of the Swallows" finally took off after two failed start-up attempts during the Depression. ...

The Ten-Mile Rose Garden was one of the famous attractions among people who lived in Southeast Missouri. It extended from Cape Girardeau to Jackson along Highway 61 from the 1930s to the 1980s. The length of the road was almost 10 miles, thus the name "Ten-Mile Rose Garden."...

No one can predict exactly where the church is headed in this new millennium, but it's certainly trying to keep up with changes in technology and culture. "We target our culture and make sure we are meeting needs, but we don't want to compromise the gospel," said DeeDee Wilson, program director at La Croix United Methodist Church...

On the corner of William and Main streets, in historic downtown Cape Girardeau, stands St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, first built in 1838, then rebuilt in 1853 after a tornado destroyed the structure. The first congregation was started when the Vincentian missionaries came to the Cape Girardeau area from Perryville in 1820, at a time many Catholics from Germany continued to immigrate to this region. ...

The Saxon immigration to Missouri in 1839 made the communities of Altenburg and Frohna in Perry County major tourist attractions for Lutherans, especially those in the states who belong to the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. Many LCMS church groups have toured these sites and continue to do so...

Treating diseases on the cellular level may be the biggest breakthrough in medicine in the 21st century, but it also may produce some huge moral dilemmas. "Genetic therapy will bring cures and a tremendous amount of suffering will be relieved," predicted Ginny Sadler, vice president of patient care at St. Francis Medical Center. "But it also will bring ethical issues we haven't faced previously."...

Carlyle Training School-16, Oak Ridge (town team)-5. That was the final score of the first organized football game held south of St. Louis. The year was 1895. That game gave the town of Jackson the distinction of being the first to field a school football team in this area. ...

Every community has a story to tell, and very often that story is preserved in the form of an historic home. By tracing the home's development, from the original land grant to the home's designer, builder and occupants, one reveals insights into community standards and values across the history of the home...

In 1861, the first year of the Civil War, a group of journalists and printers in the Union Army gathered in Bloomfield, Mo., and printed the first copy of the Stars and Stripes. In the years to come, this paper grew to have a world-wide distribution network, being distributed to U.S. servicemen and women...

Railroads have changed society in many important ways since the invention of the world's first steam locomotive in 1804. According to historical accounts, railroad building in Missouri began in 1852. Shortly thereafter, the first railroad came to Cape Girardeau. It was built by Louis Houck, former chairman of the Southeast Missouri State University Board of Regents. The track stretched from Cape Girardeau to Springfield...

The history of the trucking industry in our area can be summarized in one word, "change." In less than 100 years, areas of the trucking business such as communication, navigation, and labor have been made easier through the introduction of technology...

Classrooms on space ships and submarines? Coed baseball teams? Mall-like food courts in school cafeterias? According to some, these are just a few of the developments coming in the next millennium. Schools have changed drastically in the past 15 years, and several forward-thinkers said the sky is the limit for the future...

Although famous around the world as a leader among the Shawnee Indians, in Southeast Missouri Tecumseh may be more well known for his prediction of the devastating 1811 New Madrid earthquake. According to the 1996 book, "On Shaky Ground" by Norma Hayes Bagnall, on a journey to recruit Indians from other prominent tribes in the Mississippi Valley to join forces to prevent white settlers from moving into their lands, Tecumseh predicted that there would be a sign. ...

Established on the Mississippi River more than 200 years ago, Cape Girardeau has evolved from a tiny French trading post to a frontier settlement governed by a Spanish commandant to a thriving, culturally-rich community of approximately 40,000 residents in what local residents often say is the only "inland cape" in the world...

Students, faculty and staff from Southeast Missouri State University collaborated in the research and writing of the historical stories in this section. Many of the stories were written by students in the Writing for Mass Media course, an introductory writing course in the Department of Mass Communication. The University Archives and the Center for Regional History provided invaluable help in researching these subjects...

Yet another in a long line of lawsuits is in the offing concerning Missouri's much-litigated Hancock Amendment. This is the tax-limitation amendment that provides that if state revenue grows faster than personal income in a given year, refunds are owing to income-taxpayers...

Happy New Millennium, fellow Earthling. You and I are starting on a new voyage onto uncharted waters, facing the future as bravely and as calmly and as wisely as we can. In preparation for this journey, some have viewed it optimistically, while others have seen it as a point in history when we have reached the end of the human tether and should be ready to accept the inevitable. ...

Southeast Missouri State university didn't just hire itself another new head football coach. We got, in the bargain, a remarkable man. Prepare to watch a program turn around. Tim Billings was so clearly the standout choice in a strong field that a person close to the selection process told me, after hearing him as the third candidate, "I'm ready to vote."...

REGARDING THE criticism of the Democratic Christmas display, the caller should know the blessed Virgin, wife of a working-class carpenter, did not ride an elephant into Bethlehem. TO THE person who felt the Cape County Democrats should not have a display which celebrates the birth of Christ: Christ wants us to be compassionate and loving to all people, not to be filled with malice and hatred. ...

To the editor: Tuesday evening I watched from afar as the Port Cape crowd entered, then visited, and the word of Monday's death of John Boardman crossed the room. For the newer transplants to the county, John was one of the more prominent men and promoters to the Downtown Neighborhood Association and the Downtown Merchants Association of this generation. He and his lovely wife, Evelyn, were noted for purchasing older homes or businesses in Cape and renovating them to current code...

The Intelligentsia Futurist Network predicts that people will be donning spacewear to go out in public in the next millennium. Middle school students from England, the U.S. and Japan working on a joint project about the future of fashion think global communications will decrease the diversity of what people wear, homogenizing fashion...

Statues of Meriwether Clark, far left, and William Clark, left, by James Earle Fraser stand in the State Capitol. With the 200-year anniversary of the Lewis and Clark expedition fast approaching, many cities and towns along the routes are gearing up for celebrations and re-enactments...

The roadside scenery of U.S. Highway 60 changed on the night of Jan. 9, 1939, as several families began congregating together with what little possessions they owned. They sat along the highway all night, and by noon the next day there were more than 1,000 people camped with them...

Will there be a new bridge over the Mississippi River between Cape Girardeau, Mo., and East Cape, Ill.? Will a par-three golf course become a reality in downtown Cape Girardeau? "Yes" and "No," depending on who you talk to. "These are two items I can make a prediction on," says Lowell Peterson, president of the Mercantile Bank here. Peterson says he thinks the bridge will be built but he doesn't see much future for a downtown golf course...

Nov. 23, 1803 Landed at the cape and called on the Commandt and delivered the letters of introduction which I had for him, from Capt. Danl. Bisselle, and a Mr. Drewyer a nephew of the Commandt's. sent the boat to come too for the night at Old Cape Jeradeau which is a point of land on the Lard.. ...

The Cherokee's roots are deep in the soil of Southeast Missouri, extending far beyond the Trail of Tears. "The Cherokee began migrating about 100 years before the Trail of Tears," said Michael Seabaugh, of the Northern Cherokee Nation. "They came to Southeast Missouri and Northeast Arkansas in 1721."...

The city of Cape Girardeau has changed dramatically through the some of the most notable decades of this century, including the Roaring '20s, the Jazz Age, the Great Depression and World War II. During the Roaring '20s, Cape Girardeau became industrialized. Businesses along Broadway and Main streets developed...

Flat-screen televisions, no deeper than few inches, hang on the walls. Everything from heating and air conditioning to lights and appliances is controlled by computers. It's the new millennium and homes are wired for the computer age. Want to use your cellular phone to call the refrigerator to get a shopping list, then have that list sent directly to a grocery store so the order can be filled? How about updating your bathroom with special chips which monitor toothpaste and soap and remind you to buy more before you run out? Think how convenient it would be to have a digital television that calls when the football game is about to kick off and asks you if you want to record it.. ...

In December 1917, unusually cold, icy weather bombarded Southeast Missouri, causing parts of the Mississippi River to freeze, resulting in the water company's inability to produce water for all its users. The water shortage affected at least half of the Cape Girardeau area over a period of several days. ...

An early view of Cape Girardeau's Fairgrounds, which became Capaha Park in 1948. This photo was taken about 1901. "Lions, and tigers, and bears! Oh my!" Cape residents have been able to employ this commonly recognized movie dialogue for the many years that circuses and parades have been coming to Cape Girardeau...

For the most part, James Bond's "Q" would be bored in Cape Girardeau. Although law enforcement technology of spy movie quality is available, area police agencies look at it very selectively. Devices that track the sound of a bullet to its origin or compute a person's criminal history in a squad car are on the market for a price. But police departments like Cape Girardeau's have to weight the costs and benefits of any added technology, Sgt. Carl Kinnison said...

Four students from Jackson High School Jessica Terry, Bobby Abernathy, Brad Mirlv and Bill Schwent, have been selected to the Missouri All-State Band. On Dec. 4, nearly 1,000 students from across Missouri met at Hickman High School in Columbia to audition for the honor of participation in the top honor band in the state. ...

The Epsilon Epsilon chapter of Beta Sigma Phi particpated in the 12th Annual Lutheran Family and Children Services Home Tour on Saturday, Dec. 4. The chapter guided visitors on tours throughout one of the participating homes in the Cape Girardeau area...

New titles in the main Jackson facility of the Riverside Regional Library include (adult) Redwall, by Brian Jacques; The Great War: Walk in Hell, by Harry Turtledove, Young adult and children's titles include Sally Ann, Thunder Ann, and Whirlwind Crockett, by Steven Kellogg; Journey's End, by Anita Gareri; and Wedding Days, by Anita Gaveri...

Throughout January the Missouri Department of Agriculture and the University of Missouri will hold training sessions on pesticide use for certified commercial, noncommercial and public applicators as well as pesticide technicians. Certification training for unlicensed persons will be held Jan. 24 in Cape Girardeau. A rectification session for certified applicators and a retraining session for pesticide technicians will b held Jan. 25 in Cape Girardeau...

I dashed briskly to the school, breaking into a run across the grassy, playing field. Walking through the parking lot, I paused momentarily outside Durocher's double front doors, in an effort to better collect my thoughts. "Maybe it's the difference in school structure and pupil population that has spooked Jeff," I pondered. ...

25 years ago, 1974 Transcript of Nov. 7 public hearing in Jackson on proposed relocation of Highway 72 around Jackson is nearing completion and is expected to be submitted to Missouri Highway Department headquarters at Jefferson City in about two weeks; upon receipt of transcript, it will be reviewed by department officials at state headquarters before being sent to state Highway Commission for its approval; unlike March 1972 hearing on proposal, little opposition was expressed at Nov. ...

The wind comes softly through the trees It is a very gentle breeze The leaves come tumbling to the ground and now the ground is all brown All Day we rake and rake and rake until our back will nearly break And then one day to our surprise The snow comes down before our eyes...

What's it mean to be in love? You're heart is flying high above You cannot feel the touch of ground You cannot think when she's around Every thought is about her Don't have to change what you were You never fight and never growl You're never throwing in the towel...

I have this disturbing habit of writing stuff down and saving it. Often it is a very useful trait. At other times it can be a bemusing or even frustrating habit. On or near Dec. 31, 1979, I sat down at my aforementioned Underwood 319 manual typewriter and pecked out a little essay, looking back at the seventies -- the only decade I had lived through, start to finish. I looked at goals and dreams and where I was, halfway through my junior year in high school...

Jackson Chamber of Commerce membership has increased 28.5 percent during the past 14 months. This, and a number of new chamber initiatives, gives Ken Parrett, executive director, reason to look back fondly at 1999. "We've taken the chamber in a new direction," Parrett said. "It's very motivating to me to see the little changes we've made and how they affect the big picture."...

Pocahantas Lumber celebrated its 50th anniversary in April. Jackson Noon Optimist Club earned national honors for its youth work. Here J. Wayne Smith, past president of Optimist Internaitonal, presented the award to Bev Nelson in April. The grand opening of Jackson's Wal-Mart Supercenter in April was a highlight of 1999...

Throughout the history of Cape Girardeau, the Mississippi River has been the largest trade factor. After the War of 1812, a demand for improved means of travel made St. Louis the gate through which most of Western trade and traffic passed. The Eagle Packet Co. ...

Inert self arming anti-tank mine, one of six per canister, weight 3.8 lbs Unlike mother natures volcanoes, which molten lava and gasses are ejected out of the earth's crust, the M 139 Volcano multiple delivery mine system ejects surface laid anti-tank mines out of moving wheeled or tracked vehicles at speeds of 5-to-55 miles per hour...

The dawning of a new millennium offers a time to review the past and look toward the future, and that's just what a special section in today's Southeast Missourian does. Called "2000, Back and Beyond," today's millennium section examines the future of local law enforcement, home, health, religion, the economy and education in the region. Over 20 stories review Cape Girardeau's past, and the section captures memorial moments in a number of historical photos...

Changes proposed for the definitions of urban areas by the U.S. Census Bureau could be positive for two areas in Southeast Missouri: Cape Girardeau and St. Francois counties. One of the primary changes proposed by the Census Bureau is that the county would serve as the core base unit for calculation of population information in the urban area classifications...

A man was taken to Southeast Missouri Hospital for wounds from shotgun blasts at a home in the 1000 block of Sturdivant early Saturday, Cape Girardeau police said. A suspect, James Cook, 27, whose address was not given by police, was charged and was being held Saturday night in connection with the shooting, said police. They said Cook's bond was set at $100,000...

Not many Cape Girardeau stores were open Saturday because of Christmas. Many of those that were open, however, saw brisk business from those seeking food, medical supplies and, most in demand, entertainment. "After spending time with your family, you like to spend time with your friends," said Amber Jaco of Cape Girardeau...

Now that Christmas has come and gone, it is safe to talk about those homemade gifts without spoiling any surprises. And now parents know why Johnny just HAD to have that picture of Mom when she was his age or why Susie was rummaging around for some scraps of fabric. Also explained are the endless questions about which one would be nicer: a pot or a cup, and just exactly what do you put in that stuff you fix for supper sometimes?...

The Cape Girardeau Board of Education will begin researching less-expensive options to build a new high school this week. School board members will visit five recently-built schools in the St. Louis area to determine the accuracy of several cost estimates received earlier this month from Sverdrup CRRS of St. Louis and Regional Architects Coalition of Cape Girardeau...

Four persons were arrested for allegedly growing and possessing marijuana early Thursday, Cape Girardeau police said. Police said they found four potted marijuana plants approximately two and a half feet tall growing at 1106 Harmony St. Arrested were: Christopher A. Wickam, 26; Robert A. Mancillas, 25; Michael S. Eason, 29; and Amy M. Stroder, 24. Wickman lives in Scott City, while the other three reside at 1106 Harmony St...

Southeast Missouri State University's Indians are definitely a basketball team worth going great lengths to root for. Now, if only SEMO fans will really start doing some serious rooting. This is not a personal attack on any SEMO fan. I know many of them and they're by and large wonderful people who really are behind the Indians...

I remember the day that I became extinct. Oh, I know that sounds odd, but it is true. Woodpeckers have wonderful memories and I assure you that I recall that event, with great detail. First, let me introduce myself. People called my kind of woodpecker the "Ivory- bill." I suppose to them our white bills were the most distinctive thing about us. ...

Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Monday at the Opportunity church of God in Christ at Charleston. Services were originally scheduled for 1 p.m. Sparks Funeral Home at Charleston is in charge of arrangements.

MOUNDS, Ill. -- Emma Love, 88, of Mounds died Saturday, Dec. 25, 1999, at Daystar Care Center at Cairo. Arrangements are pending at Jones Funeral Home at Villa Ridge.

JACKSON -- Edith E. Ristig, 82, of Jackson died Friday, Dec. 24, 1999, at the St. Francis Medical Center. She was born Feb. 24, 1917, near Oak Ridge, daughter of Oscar and Dolly Hamilton Woeltje. She and Freddie R. Ristig were married Dec. 23, 1939. He died Feb. 20, 1998...

WYATT -- Roy Lee Mullins, 61, of Wyatt died Friday, Dec. 24, 1999, at the St. Francis Medical Center. He was born Oct. 8, 1938, at Mound City, Ill., son of Roy and Essie Murphy Mullins. He had been employed with the Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad Company as a yard master and was a veteran of the United States Army...

PATTON -- Elmer Henry Evans, 77, of Patton died Thursday, Dec. 23, 1999, at the Jackson Manor Nursing Home. He was born Aug. 25, 1922, at St. Louis, son of Francis W. and Lena Dettmer Evans. He was a Navy veteran of World War II and was a retired tool and die maker for the aircraft industry...

TAMMS, Ill. -- Lorn R. "Pod" Honey, 74, of Tamms died Saturday, Dec. 25, 1999, at Southeast Missouri Hospital. He was born Dec. 19, 1925, at Diswood, son of Harry and Nellie Cox Honey. He was a farmer and owner of Lorn Honey Trucking at Tamms before his retirement. He was a veteran of World War II...

CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Bessie Laona Grah, 88, of Clearwater and formerly of Miller City, Ill., died Tuesday, Dec. 7, 1999, at Clearwater. She was born July 30, 1911, at Advance, Mo., daughter of Joseph and Idella Dunlap. She and Leslie Grah were married March 19, 1953...

MARYLAND HEIGHTS -- Arthur J. Fuerth, 65, of Maryland Heights died Wednesday, Dec. 22, 1999, at his home. He was born March 21, 1934, at Cape Girardeau, son of Dr. Arthur and Corona Heisserer Fuerth. He was a graduate of St. Mary's High School and Southeast Missouri State University at Cape Girardeau. ...

Daughter to Christopher Michael and Yolanda Marie Robinson of Chaffee, Southeast Missouri Hospital, 10:45 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 16, 1999. Name, Charley Marie. Weight, 6 pounds 11 1/2 ounces. Third child, second daughter. Mrs. Robinson is the former Yolanda Rauch, daughter of Bill and Janie Rauch of Chaffee. ...

Julie Danyne Pierce and Jim L. Williams were united in marriage Nov. 13, 1999, at First Church of God. Roger B. Christiansen performed the double ring ceremony. The bride is the daughter of Bonnie J. Pierce of Cape Girardeau, and the late Wesley Pierce. The groom is the son of Marita Benzen of Ava...

OLIVE BRANCH, Ill. -- Charles and Phyllis Wilson of Olive Branch celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary Dec. 10, 1999. In observance of the event, their daughter and son-in-law, Lana and Larry Cusick, accompanied them on an Amtrak train trip. They toured the northeastern states, Canada, and Nova Scotia...

JACKSON -- Angela Kaye Godwin and Edward Eugene Harris were married Nov. 20, 1999, at Jackson Church of Christ. Steve Simmons performed the double ring ceremony. Parents of the bride are Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Kelly Garland of Jackson. The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Eugene Harris Sr. of DeSoto...

The week between Christmas and New Year's Day is one of the sweetest weeks in the year. The great rush of purchasing, wrapping, trimming, baking is over. One can temporarily sit back in an easy chair, take a deep breath and relax. I like to spend a portion of this time going over the Christmas cards I have received. ...

OAK RIDGE -- Krystal Marie McCain and Chris Todd McLane were married July 3, 1999, at Sedgewickville Baptist Church. The Rev. Morris Cobb performed the double ring ceremony. Pianist and vocalist was Debra McCain of McClure, Ill. The New Beginning Quartet, comprised of Jim Hindman and Wade Sanders of Chaffee, Eric Scott of Cape Girardeau, and Tom Kimbel of Jackson, also sang...

JACKSON -- Shauna Jean Cook and Jamie Austin Criddle were married July 24, 1999, at First Baptist Church. Dr. Brian Anderson performed the double ring ceremony. Pianist was Lisa Drum, and vocalists were Lisa Barrett and Julia Schmid. Ron and Sandra Cook of Whitewater are parents of the bride. The groom is the son of Danny and Donna Criddle of Jackson...

Gary Dale and Linda Joyce Koch of Cape Girardeau have announced the engagement of their daughter, Crystal Lynn Koch, to Charles Waldon Richey. He is the son of Michael Lee and Rebecca Lou Richey of Cape Girardeau. Koch received a bachelor of science degree in early childhood education from Southeast Missouri State University, and is pursuing a master's degree. She is a first grade teacher at Kelso C-7 School...

Stephanie Renee Drummond and Reginald Dwayne Williamson were married Oct. 30, 1999, at First Baptist Church. The Rev. Billy D. Williamson of Sikeston performed the double ring ceremony. The bride is the daughter of Ret. MSG Thomas and Carol Drummond of Cape Girardeau. The groom is the son of James "J.J." and Pat Williamson of Cape Girardeau...

First Assembly of God Church was the setting May 29, 1999, for the wedding of Rebecca Ann Lewis and Joshua Charles LaMar. The Rev. Gary Brothers performed the double ring ceremony. Music was provided by a string quartet comprised of Melvin Gilhaus, Steve Schaffner, Dr. Gary Miller and Kirk Miller; pianist was Matt Yount, all of Cape Girardeau...

The Missouri Department of Insurance rate guides show Missourians can save up to several hundred dollarsa year on comprehensive coverage by shopping wisely. To order a homeowner, mobile home or renters insurance guide, or a guide to surviving severe weather, call the toll free MDI Consumer Hotline at 1 (800) 726-7390 or write the MDI Division of Consumer Affairs, P.O. Box 690, Jefferson City, Mo. 65102-0690...

Bill and Willene McCarty of Steeleville, Ill., and David and Kay Chaffee of Collinsville, Ill., have announced the engagement of their daughter, Laura Kay McCarty, to Leo Dwight DuFrenne Jr. He is the son of Leo and Sue DuFrenne and Janice DuFrenne of Red Bud, Ill...

A weather vane atop the roof of the home gives a informal, countryside feel to the property. The large, fully equipped kitchen connects to the dining area and deck. An island in the center contains the range, saving steps when preparing a big meal. Built in 1993, this home sits on a wooded, hilltop lot. The house, located at 1082 Trail Ridge in Jackson, has a walkout basement at the rear...