Out of the past 10/19/09

25 years ago: Oct. 19, 1984

Authorities say a barn was destroyed and several trees were uprooted late yesterday when a tornado touched down about two miles west of Oran, Mo.; high winds accompanying a thunderstorm knocked down a barn belonging to Phillip Hirschowitz.

FLAT RIVER, Mo. -- Incumbent Rep. Bill Emerson and his Democratic opponent for the 8th Congressional District seat, Bill Blue, debated last night at Flat River; Blue attacked Emerson and his support for President Reagan's economics policy as "government by the rich and for the rich."

50 years ago: Oct. 19, 1959

The old John Daugherty house and raised lot, just south of McKendree Methodist Church in Jackson, has been razed, the debris removed and the lot leveled to street grade.

Bands from 31 high schools in Southeast Missouri are scheduled to participate Oct. 31 in one of the largest State College Homecoming parades in history; more than 1,100 high school musicians and 175 majorettes and twirlers will be in the parade, which will also feature the college's own Golden Eagle Band.

75 years ago: Oct. 19, 1934

Ralph McCullough, superintendent of schools at New Madrid, is elected president of the Southeast Missouri Teachers Association at the annual business session.

The annual meeting at Old McKendree Chapel, scheduled for this afternoon, is called off because of inclement weather; the heavy rain of the past 24 hours made the grounds too wet for the cars to park; Dr. Ivan Lee Holt, who was to speak at Old McKendree, instead preaches a sermon at New McKendree Chapel in Jackson.

100 years ago: Oct. 19, 1909

A Secret Service agent is in Cape Girardeau looking over the arrangements for President Taft's visit a week hence; after conferring with the executive committee and chairman E.F. Regenhardt in particular, he gives his approval of plans and continues on to Cairo, Ill.

After voting last night to pay Kettle Rivers Quarry Co. for its work of paving Main, Themis and Independence streets with creosoted wood blocks, the Cape Girardeau City Council passed an ordinance accepting the bids of Kettle Rivers for paving Broadway from Water to Lorimier streets.

-- Sharon K. Sanders