Out of the past 11/7/09

U.S. Rep. Bill Emerson swept all but one county of the 8th Congressional district yesterday, easily warding off a challenge by Democrat Bill Blue on his way to winning re-election to a third term.

A powerful tide of Republican support in Cape Girardeau County knocked one local incumbent out of office and created several other close races, as voters elected a new sheriff and narrowly kept the county coroner and a state representative in voting Tuesday; Republican challenger Dwight Thomas beat Democratic incumbent Herman "Bob" Gribler by less than a single percentage point in the sheriff's race.

Repeal of the Blue Law in Cape Girardeau County and approval of an ordinance calling for a special Cape Girardeau city election on the controversial multipurpose building site issue were among local issues approved by voters yesterday.

50 years ago: Nov. 7, 1959

The Rotary Club stages its second White Elephant sale at 123 N. Main St., offering thousands of items; proceeds from the sale will be used to support Rotary's community projects and its Rotary Foundation fellowship program.

Without turning a hand, the State College Indians again ascended to the M.I.A.A. thrown last night when the Maryville Bearcats turned in a 12-12 tie with Kirksville, a feat that left the Indians with their third consecutive conference championship and fourth in five years; regardless of the outcome of today's game with Warrensburg, the Indians were made champions by the deadlocked contest at Kirksville.

75 years ago: Nov. 7, 1934

Sweeping back toward a former Republican majority, Cape Girardeau County voters yesterday elected seven of 11 county officials and gave big margins to state Republican candidates; leading the county ticket, Mrs. Ruby Walters, the only woman in a county contest, was elected clerk of Common Pleas Court; she polled 995 votes more than her Democratic opponent, C.J. Neal.

BENTON, Mo. -- In heavy balloting that in nearly every instance stacked up 2 to 1 in favor of Democrats, not a single Republican was elected to office in Scott County Tuesday.

100 years ago: Nov. 7, 1909

Members of the President's Day executive committee meet in Mayor M.E. Leming's office to settle up the affairs of the great day; most all the bills have been paid, and it is safe to say that the funds subscribed by the citizens will be sufficient to defray all expenses.

Some wood block pavers have been hauled to Broadway, between Water and Main streets, and work of laying them will be started as weather permits.

-- Sharon K. Sanders