Out of the past 10/18/01

10 years ago: Oct. 18, 1991

Training for volunteer and some paid firefighters in state may be reduced sharply because of state budget cuts, say state and local fire service officials; cuts would mainly affect small-town and rural departments in Southeast Missouri who have limited budgets, and depend on trained, volunteer firefighters to protect residential and commercial property.

Small piece of Cape Girardeau's history will be dedicated Sunday, as residents celebrate what could be city's newest park; May Green Garden, small tract of land at Themis and Fountain streets, dates back to Civil War; restored tract is owned by federal government, but members of May Green Garden Association hope City Council Monday will designate site a city park.

25 years ago: Oct. 18, 1976

Sen. Robert Dole, swinging through Cape Girardeau on his whirlwind campaign as Republican vice presidential candidate, is greeted shortly after noon by enthusiastic, cheering crowd on Southeast Missouri State University campus.

Jack Frost made his yearly debut in Cape Girardeau area over weekend; area residents are surprised this morning to find windshields frosted over, but first frost actually occurred yesterday morning.

50 years ago: Oct. 18, 1951

Teachers from all parts of district begin converging on Cape Girardeau, first of 2,000 expected to attend Southeast Missouri Teachers Association meeting Friday; many more are expected to arrive tonight; speakers for meeting include former Gov. Ellis Arnall of Georgia and Frank Eversull, professor of Education at Washington University, St. Louis.

Illmo - Al Westland, former newspaper reporter at Sikeston and editor of Scott County Democrat, has purchased The Jimplicute, weekly newspaper here, from Marshall W. Hamil, who has been publisher past few years.

75 years ago: Oct. 18, 1926

New broadcasting station of Hirsch Radio & Battery Co., on fifth floor of H.-H. Building is formally opened and used for first time, when continuous program from 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. is broadcast; studio, fitted up with heavy drapes to aid in broadcasting, is provided by Chamber of Commerce.

Scarlet fever, which is again threatening to reach epidemic proportions in Cape Girardeau, claims life of 3-year old child as its first victim here in several months; Helen Marie Martin, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Martin, dies in morning; two other children in family are ill with same malady, and one is in critical condition.

- Sharon K. Sanders