Out of the past 10/15/05

25 years ago: Oct. 15, 1980

A proposal to construct sidewalks near several Cape Girardeau schools met heavy resistance at a public hearing last night from residents in the neighborhoods where these walks would be built; about 100 residents attended the two-hour hearing at city hall, most of whom indicated to the city council they are against construction of sidewalks on their streets.

City manager W.G. Lawley, who has served in his position for a decade, submits his resignation to the city council, effective at the end of February 1981; Lawley, 50, declines to discuss the resignation, his reasons for his decision to resign, or whether the resignation has anything to do with recent allegations concerning the Cape Girardeau Police Department.

50 years ago: Oct. 15, 1955

Cape Girardeau retail outlets and egg wholesalers were checked this week for the first time under Missouri's new egg-grading law, a measure which is expected to put the state back in the nation's egg market and mean higher prices for producers and sellers.

Surveys recently completed at State College reveal that Cape Girardeau responded well to the housing problem created by the increased enrollment at the college this year.

75 years ago: Oct. 15, 1930

The W.E. Callahan Construction Co. of St. Louis is low bidder over 24 others submitting offers for construction of the set-back levee along the Little River Diversion Channel south of Cape Girardeau, between Nash, Mo., and Allenville.

STE. GENEVIEVE, Mo. -- This town is under military control for the second time this week, after troops are recalled when new threats of mob violence become evident, resulting from the failure of a black mail carrier and his two brothers to heed a warning to leave town.

100 years ago: Oct. 15, 1905

The funeral of Col. Robert Sturdivant is conducted in the morning at the home of Judge R.G. Ranney on North Main Street, the body having arrived yesterday from Tallapoosa, Fla., where Sturdivant died.

The two-story frame residence at 13 N. Sprigg St., owned and occupied by A. Miller, a barber, comes near to being destroyed by fire in the evening; the family is in the basement eating supper, when it is surprised by an unusual noise, caused by two men breaking in the door to fight the flames; a lighted lamp on the second floor had exploded, scattering oil all over the room; prompt aid by the two passers-by saves the house and occupants.

-- Sharon K. Sanders