1999

Although a group has already formed and committed itself to making the downtown area of Cape Girardeau more attractive, it has yet to determine just where to start; downtown merchant Judith Lang is heading up the local board of 15 people who are involved in getting a Main Street program set up in Cape Girardeau; getting started has been a challenge for Old Town Cape; the problem is that there is no single area in Cape Girardeau that can be designated as the downtown area; this is because there are really three areas: the riverfront, Haarig and upper Broadway.

After a five-week stay in Scotland, members of the Southeast Missouri State University Golden Eagles marching band have returned home; the band took part in the prestigious military tattoo while in Scotland.

1974

Construction of the controversial law enforcement complex at the County Farm is up in the air again, thanks to site preparation bids that are considered too high and the uncertain future of the federal revenue-sharing program that is supposed to finance the project; the troubles may force the Cape Girardeau County Court to reconsider at least the design of the proposed complex; the recommended site may also be restudied, and the court may reconsider two other proposed sites, both in Jackson.

The rains came, sending swollen creeks in several Cape Girardeau County communities cascading over their banks, dumping as much as 10 feet of water on land that, just weeks before, was cracked and dry from one of the worst droughts in Missouri history; with the rains over, a hazy August sun is soaking up the last bit of moisture from inundated land, but clean-up work is continuing in communities hardest hit by yesterday’s flash floods.

1949

Two youthful trick riders, 9 and 10 years of age, will present a fast-moving specialty act on ponies at the three-night horse show at the SEMO District Fair, which opens Sept. 12; the announcement is made by Joe Grant, horse show superintendent and uncle of the lads, Bud and Dub Grant; sons of Mr. and Mrs. Wesley Grant of Piedmont, the miniature roughriders last night returned from Michigan, where they completed a three-month engagement with Ken Maynard’s rodeo doing their riding and roping act.

The Jackson business district is a beehive of activity in the morning, as workers complete setting up for the Homecomers celebration, which will open this afternoon; trucks bring supplies to the stands, while electricians on ladders install loud speakers and floodlights.

1924

Practically every organization in Cape Girardeau, including churches and schools, will participate in National Defense Day in Cape Girardeau Sept. 12, according to reports of various committee members; a parade featuring representatives of the organizations will precede a patriot program being planned for Courthouse Park in the afternoon; while the day is known as mobilization day for the military forces of the United States, National Defense Day will be patriotic in nature, with no military connection at all.

Officials with the Cape Girardeau Fair are seeking to rent, borrow or beg additional stable room in barns adjoining Fairground Park to accommodate the unusually large number of race horses which are to be here Sept. 18 to 20; enough entries have already been received to fill up available stable room at the park.

Southeast Missourian librarian Sharon Sanders compiles the information for the daily Out of the Past column. She also writes a blog called “From the Morgue” that showcases interesting historical stories from the newspaper. Check out her blog at semissourian.com/history.