Out of the past 10/2/08

25 years ago: Oct. 2, 1983

Many churches across Cape Girardeau hold their annual FISH Food Drive in conjunction with World Communion Day; the proceeds from the food drive will help restock the FISH pantry for the upcoming winter months.

The Southeast Missourian retires its venerable nameplate and replaces it with a more up-to-date type face; also part of the change is the dropping of "The" from the newspaper's official name.

50 years ago: Oct. 2, 1958

Problems created by the surplus of rainfall last year predominates as levee and drainage district officials from all parts of Southeast Missouri plead with the Mississippi River Commission to expedite drainage construction; the commission is conducting its annual low-water cruise aboard the U.S. Army Engineer vessel Mississippi.

Frost comes to Cape Girardeau County in the morning, but it isn't heavy; some types of grass and tender vegetation, like tomato plants, are nipped by the cold.

75 years ago: Oct. 2, 1933

The state champion Louis K. Juden American Legion Post Drum and Bugle Corps is in Chicago for competition in the national Legion contest; 82 people, including 38 of the 39 band members, left Cape Girardeau early Sunday on the American Legion special train.

Charles E. Pearson, a member of the state highway patrol since its creation last year, has tendered his resignation as a trooper and will go into the clothing business with a brother, E.L. Pearson, at his hometown of Vandalia, Mo.

100 years ago: Oct. 2, 1908

There will be one last baseball game Sunday, with the Jackson club furnishing the competition for the Capahas at Cape Girardeau; the Caps sojourned to Jackson last week during the Homecoming celebration and came home with the small end of a low score; pitcher Wagner did it, and he will try to repeat his performance, although local boys have sworn the blackest vengeance upon him and his band.

W.H. Miller, president of the Southeast Missouri Trust Co., nearly lost his fine home on North Frederick Street to fire early yesterday morning; the blaze was put out before it gained any headway.

-- Sharon K. Sanders