Out of the past 10/11/11

25 years ago: Oct. 11, 1986

Southeast Missouri State University kicks off Homecoming activities with a parade down Broadway; other activities include a Copper Dome breakfast and alumni luncheon.

The Mississippi River crests late in the day at 42.1 feet at Cape Girardeau, a day early and slightly lower than had been predicted.

50 years ago: Oct. 11, 1961

The largest audience in its 17-year history attended the Jackson Marching Band Festival concert last night at the high school stadium; 1,400 members of 20 bands performed.

Sister M. Aquinas, known as the "Flying Nun" of Manitowoc, Wis., is featured lecturer at the annual Catholic Teachers' Institute at Notre Dame High School; 180 religious sisters and lay teachers from 22 schools in Southeast Missouri take part.

75 years ago: Oct. 11, 1936

The third anniversary of First English Lutheran Church is celebrated with the observance of Holy Communion at the morning service and a special sermon for the occasion delivered by the pastor, the Rev. Roland Reichmann.

James T. McDonald, probate judge and for 22 years county superintendent of schools, died last night at a local hospital; he was born April 8, 1879, on a farm northwest of Cape Girardeau, a son of James T. McDonald and Anna Irvin McDonald.

100 years ago: Oct. 11, 1911

The jury in federal court takes about five minutes to bring in a verdict of guilty on both counts of the indictment against president Giboney Houck and the general superintendent and roadmaster of the Houck railroad for their interference with the work of constructing the government levee south of this city last December.

Thomas Walsh, representing the Glenn Curtis aviators, is here conferring with officers of the Commercial Club regarding the flights of Hugh Robinson down the Mississippi River; Robinson may land his hydroplane on the river at Cape Girardeau's wharf about Oct. 22.

-- Sharon K. Sanders