The weekly tribune and the Cape County herald. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1914-1918, 1916-05-19
3,249 PUPILS In
CAPE GlRARDEAU,
CENSUS REVEALS
Charles A. McDonald's Can
vass Shows an Increase
of 290 in Past Year.
INDICATES CITY HAS
OVER 10000 PEOPLE
Ten Per Cent Growth Sets a New
Record for the Cape, Stats
tics Prove.

Charles A. Mcdonald, the school
census taker, who completed his can
vass of the city yesterday, announced
that he found 3,24S children of school
age in Cape Girardeau. This was 300
more than were here one year ago,
which is the largest annual gain made
in many years.
Based upon statistics furnished by
the State Superintendent of Public
Schools, Cape Girardeau has a popu-
lation OF at least $4,000. In 1918 the
schco! census showed that there were
slightly more than 100000 girls and
boys of school age in Missouri. The
total population of the State is APP
proximately 100000, which shows
that about one-fourth of the people
living in Missouri are girls and boys
who are or should be attending the
schools.
MuItiply the number of the school
census of this city by four and it
aggregates 1892. The school census
gives the city Of st. Louis about 150-
600, but there were only a few more
than 100000 enrolled during the past
year; however, this discrepancy may
be accounted for by reason OF the fac:
that many boys and girls of school
age have completed the course and
graduated, while others are in private
schools. But the school census of tina:
city shows that about one out of every
four inhabitants is of school age.
Il the St. Louis average could be
applied to Cape Girardeau, this city
has a population Of at least $4,000, if
not more. The last census Of s.. Louis
gave that city almost 7G00GG people,
and this canvass was made SIX years
ago. ST. Louis is now claiming 500
G0G people. which shows thai les than
one-tifth Of its population &c Of legal
school age.
The increase in the school census Of
this city demonstrates how rapidly the
city is growing. The figures collected
by Mr.. Mcdonald indicate an increase
over last years total of approximately
ten per cent, which Eliminates the
enormous growth Of Cape Girardeau.
Another evidence of this city's
gains in population is the number of
new buildings going up and the lack
&C houses for rent. 1t is said that
there are not dozen houses in Cape
Girardeau for rent, yet since the first
of the year it is reported that more
than fifty have been completed Last
year more than one hundred homes
were built, but there were more
houses for rent last spring than are
listed now.
Real estate agents say they are
unable to accommodate the demand for
houses. As soon as desirable home
is vacated, applicants seek it by the
score. Visitors to this city, especially
men, say there is not another
city of Cape Girardeau'S size in Mis-
souri, with as few vacant houses. This
is regarded as being remarkable in
view of the unusual number of new
dwellings, that have been constructed
during the past five years.
At the close Of 1916, if only the
now planned arc finished,
this city Will have added almost $50
structures. In 1915 approximately
$50 houses, flats and business struc-
lures were finished. and an equal
number were constructed during the
previous year. Officials in the build
ing and loan associations and real
estate experts say that during the
three years, Cape GiIaTdeau has |
added at least 400 buildings, indicat-
rig a growth in population of 800 or
more.