Out of the past 10/15/01

10 years ago: Oct. 15, 1991

Board of Education yesterday approved $19.7 million budget for 1991-92 school year that contemplates district spending about $1.1 million more than it will receive; this year's budget reflects deficit spending of $770,000 in teachers fund and $350,000 in incidental fund; district has money in savings to make up the deficit.

If Cape Girardeau buys Union Electric Co.'s water system, it will cost school district $135,000 in tax revenue; but City Manager J. Ronald Fischer says if measure is successful at polls, city is willing to wean school district off money over five-year period.

25 years ago: Oct. 15, 1976

Torch light parades of 1900s made comeback last night; organized by Central High School contemporary issues class, parade formed with 250 participants; it began on Independence, then to Boulevard, north to Broadway and on to Capaha Park Band Shell; participating in trek were political candidates from both Republican and Democratic parties, high school and college students, pep band members, local residents, etc.

After more than year's absence, plaque giving highlights of colorful past of Old Opera House at Broadway and Lorimier is back in place; Cape Girardeau Rotary Club replaces bronze marker that had been pried from its spot by vandals Sept. 7, 1975.

50 years ago: Oct. 15, 1951

Miami, Fla. - Missouri's Golden Troopers of Cape Girardeau are eliminated from competition in American Legion drum and bugle corps national contest, when they rank 13 in field of 21 other crack units from across nation in preliminaries; 10 corps qualify for finals.

Mrs. Marie C. Siemers of Cape Girardeau received telegram from Defense Department yesterday saying that her son, Pvt. Clarence A. Siemers, 21, was killed in action in Korea on Aug. 27; Siemers was killed only three days after landing in Korea.

75 years ago: Oct. 15, 1926

Plans for construction of traffic bridge across Mississippi River are advanced another important step by formal organization of Cape Girardeau Bridge Co., and assigning to new company by Chamber of Commerce to its charter, granted by Congress, authorizing construction of span; officers of bridge company are: President, Charles L. Harrison; vice presidents, Clyde D. Harris, Fred A. Groves and William R. Compton Jr.; treasurer, Lyra Schroder; assistant treasurer, Alfred L. Harty; secretary C.A. Vandivort, and assistant secretary, Thomas S. McPheeters.

J.H. Ridenour and Thomas Arnold, who are connected with oil-well project at Himmel, near Vanduser, are in Cape Girardeau calling on local men with view of interesting them in project; well is down 1,670 feet.

- Sharon K. Sanders