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Newspaper
Sikeston Herald
Location
Sikeston, Missouri, United States of America
Date
May 02, 1940
Page
7
The Sikeston Herald lists Clint H. Denman as publisher and Ward Denman as assistant. It notes publication every Thursday and provides yearly subscription rates for Scott and adjoining counties at $1.50 and elsewhere at $2.00, with terms strictly in advance.
Members of music clubs from Southeast Missouri visit Sikeston on Saturday and perform in the public library auditorium. The visitors represent their communities cultural groups and will spend the day in Sikeston to honor the city with performances.
Officials and operators at the Southeast Missouri Telephone Company who worked nights to restore service after Monday and Tuesday tornadoes deserve thanks from business people and other telephone users. Operators and company officials provided especially accommodating and splendid service.
A shopper faced a taunt on a busy Sikeston street as a fountain of amber tobacco juice narrowly missed her. The scene sparked talk about public manners and a suggestion the city council provide cuspidors for curbside loungers.
The piece warns that bicycle riding in heavy traffic endangers youths and motorists alike. It suggests a city ordinance banning riding in the busiest streets to reduce hazards and possibly save lives.
The Herald lists about 600 students who will complete high school and receive diplomas in the next two to three weeks. The paper offers congratulations and best wishes for their future endeavors and continued success.
The Sikeston census shows a large population rise from 1930 though some individuals may have been omitted. If you were not counted or moved since April 1 1940, write to W G Wicker supervisor of the census Cape Girardeau with your name, family members, former address, and date of move. The Sikeston Herald will forward missed information to Cape Girardeau.
Tuesday's gale crushed business blocks demolishing Pelly's Tavern in Illmo and leveled the Fornfelt W H Castleman grocery and J A Gearing electrical stores. Residential areas were left a tangle of wires and debris with churches damaged and railroad centers suffering extensive loss.
A midwestern tornado struck towns including Bertrand Samos Charleston Dexter Essex Bloomfield and Sikeston damaging homes farms and businesses. Dozens of farmhouses barns and outbuildings were destroyed or heavily damaged with an estimated 30 farm houses lost and at least 200 tenants left homeless in the cotton area. The National Compress Co warehouse sustained about $20 000 in damage and the sprinkling system was wrecked.
A devastating storm near Kelso leveled a barn trapping Schaeffer who died, and the family dug him out. A seven month old child from Bertrand was killed and the mother injured while a trailer home was demolished near Charleston. Dozens suffered injuries, including Opal Johnson and Clarence Johnson in Cairo, and Walter Carr, a Black man fatally hurt at Wyatt, with others hospitalized in Cape Girardeau and Morley.
About 50 bales stored in the warehouse were damaged by rain. The steel roof over the R. C. Davis Cotton and Gin Co power plant was ripped off during the same event. Local officials reported the losses and immediate cleanup efforts began at once.
National Guard lent invaluable aid as widespread storms ripped through Sikeston and surrounding towns. Damages mounted in multiple counties with Chaffee and Kelso among hardest hit. total losses run into thousands. Temporary shelters were set up to shield victims from rain and cold waves.
The disrupted telephone service caused by Tuesday's tornado is expected to be past history by noon Friday, says O T Elder, manager of the Southeast Missouri Telephone Company's plant. A 200 line cable in the southwest part of Sikeston was cracked by wind, causing the outage. A crew of about 15 workers is repairing damage in Sikeston and nearby rural areas where poles were felled and wires torn.
The American Legion Auxiliary plans a gathering Tuesday night May 7 at Mrs. C. J. Stevens residence on Sikes Avenue with Mrs. R. L Proffer assisting as hostess.
The Ben-Jon Missionary Society of the Methodist church will meet at 7 30 o clock Monday night May 6 in the church parlors with Miss Lucile Mount as president in charge.
A Tuesday storm wrecked nine houses and multiple barns on Van Horne and McMullin estates north of Sikeston, destroying a 1923 barn, injuring farm residents, and prompting rebuilding. Tanner area damage included the old Randolph home twisted by wind and several large red barns leveled. Major losses reported across neighboring farms with cars, outbuildings, and a school building damaged.
Luther H. Williams 70 vice president United Bank of Farmington died May 1 less than a day after his wife. Double funeral services will be held at Farmington on Friday. He and his wife survived by seven children.
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