This weekend’s highlights include a dramatic lunar eclipse, a local family feud and an aviation disaster.
Saturday
April 13, 1924 — No issues available
75 years ago
April 13, 1949
• Decades before the total solar eclipse of 2024, Southeast Missouri observed a rare lunar “black eclipse.”
In most eclipses the moon takes on a red glow as light refracts through earth’s atmosphere, but widespread clouds blocked this light and the moon vanished completely last night. The hour-long eclipse was visible to half of the planet. Thousands of people also watched via television in “the advent of drawing room sky-gazing,” the Daily American Republic said.
The last black eclipse was recorded in 1844.
50 years ago
April 13, 1974
• The former police chief of Independence filed a $1.6 million damage suit against two city officials.
George D. Owen was fired from the police department two years ago after a report alleged firearms, narcotics and money were missing from the PD’s premises. A county grand jury returned a no true bill and no charges were lodged against Owens; however, Owens alleges Independence City Manager Lyle Alberg improperly shared details of the investigation with former councilman Paul Roberts, who sought to imply Owens was guilty of misconduct. Both men are named in the libel suit.
Sunday
100 years ago
April 14, 1924
• A man faces charged of assault with intent to kill after shooting his neighbor in the climax of a decades-long family feud.
Rev. E. Kenner, an elderly former Baptist minister, is accused of nonfatally shooting Jeff Goins, who is in his 30s. The attack happened on the evening of April 13 near Kenner’s home in the southwest portion of the county. The Kenner-Goins feud reportedly stretches back 40 years and the two families were recently in court over a property dispute.
Goins was shot in the back, injuring his right shoulder and neck. He reportedly told Dr. W. Taylor, the physician treating him, that the shooting was unprovoked and he played dead because Kenner verbally threatened to fire again. Kenner stated after his arrest that he shot Goins because the man was ripping up fence posts on his land.
Kenner was arrested and immediately released on bond. A hearing is scheduled for May 2.
Taylor expects Goins to recover, but said his right arm will likely be crippled.
75 years ago
April 14, 1949
• Townships bordering Lake Wappapello voted to enact a stock law and end free range livestock practices. Previously, livestock were driven to the lake from as far away as Ripley County, damaging camps and creating road hazards on highways 34, 49 and 67.
Mill Spring, Williams, Black River, Benton and Logan townships all adopted the measure. The Wayne County side of the lake still has open range.
April 14, 1974 — No issues available.
Monday
100 years ago
April 15, 1924
• A trip to the barber cost a Cape Girardeau man his court hearing and his freedom today. W.A. Morrow, a former member of a wholesale firm in Campbell, is accused of concealing assets and defrauding creditors. Free on bond, he arrived in court this morning and, hearing another case called before his, assumed he had time to run to the barber for a shave. He didn’t — Morrow’s was called soon after, and no one could locate him within the judge’s half-hour deadline. Morrow returned to court after 40 minutes to find the $2,500 bond from his previous arrest was forfeited due to his absence, and he was under arrest again. His new bond is $10,000 and the case is now on trial.
75 years ago
April 15, 1949
• Eleven boaters were stranded overnight by bad weather on Lake Wappapello.
Experienced fishermen George Collins and Truman Penrod reported they were forced to run their boat ashore across from Chaonia Landing yesterday after sudden high winds made the lake unnavigable. They were eventually joined by nine other fishermen, several of whom swam ashore when their boats capsized.
The men sheltered on a hillside overnight.
Weather conditions broke shortly before noon today and allowed rescuers to locate the group. No casualties were reported.
50 years ago
April 15, 1974
• Plane wreckage and the bodies were found in Sam A. Baker State Park today. The victims were identified as pilot David Edgecomb and Ralph Neff, both of Illinois. Authorities believe their plane strayed off course during storms and fog on the night of April 13 before crashing into the top of Mud Lick Mountain. The wreckage was discovered this afternoon when a Forest Service employee spotted it from a watchtower.
The cause of the accident is not yet determined, but authorities believe the plane hit the mountaintop at full throttle with its landing gear up. The elevation of the crash was around 1,300 feet.