Out of the past 7/14/09

The two Republican gubernatorial candidates debated in Cape Girardeau last night, with St. Louis County executive Gene McNary charging that his opponent, Attorney General John Ashcroft, doesn't know how to keep a tight rein on the state budget; Ashcroft denied the charge, stressing his familiarity with state government, both as auditor and now as attorney general.

Plaza Galleria is set to open July 23, when the first ice skating class will begin training.

50 years ago: July 14, 1959

Peddlers using parking meter zones to hawk their wares will have to find new locations under an ordinance ordered drafted by the Cape Girardeau City Council; peddlers occupy metered spaces in a business area for the legal two hours, then move forward or backward to other spots for the subsequent time; the practice has prompted complaints.

Construction of the new administration building at the Cape Girardeau Municipal Airport, delayed by an inability of the contractor to procure steel, is expected to progress rapidly with the arrival Friday of a shipment.

75 years ago: July 14, 1934

After the hottest day of the summer, a shower this morning brings some relief to Cape Girardeau; indications are, however, that the relief is only temporary; the high recorded yesterday at the Teachers College was 102 degrees.

Cape Girardeau has no zoo, but it does have two swans; they are domiciled on the lagoon at Fairground Park; the young birds were given the city by George W. Cross.

100 years ago: July 14, 1909

Farmers living north of Cape Girardeau are suffering because of the high water; many are laboring to save what they can before floodwaters drench their fields; probably the heaviest losers in "the bend" will be Brand & McVeigh, who farm the old Minton place; Saturday night, the steamer Cape Girardeau stopped there and took on more than 600 sacks of wheat; 4,000 bushels remaining in shocks have been hauled to ridges in the fields, but it is thought they will soon be covered by water.

Dr. Fletcher D. Rhodes, a dentist, has been named postmaster of Blodgett, Mo.

-- Sharon K. Sanders