Out of the past 10-21-06

25 years ago: Oct. 21, 1981

By a unanimous vote, the Cape Girardeau City Council approves a subsidized taxi system to provide the city's elderly and handicapped with a low-cost transportation service; while it is expected that the system will begin in November, the exact start-up date won't be announced for some time.

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Three shotgun blasts early in the morning from close range damage two vehicles and the garage door of Perry County Prosecuting Attorney John G. Meyer's home here; sheriff's department officials say they have "some good leads" in the incident.

50 years ago: Oct. 21, 1956

First steps toward forming a second Lutheran congregation in Cape Girardeau are taken in the afternoon, when approximately 150 members of Trinity Lutheran Church attend an open forum at the church to discuss whether Trinity should organize another congregation in this area.

Horsemen from Cape Girardeau, Delta, Jackson and Sikeston, Mo., participate in Southeast Missouri's first Palmetto polo contest at Arena Park; among those taking part are Pete Waddle, Fred Moore, Chalk Givens, Red Hosea, Glenn Cox, Morley Swingle, R.L. Cox, Joe Locke, Lanson Cox and Joe D. Hale.

75 years ago: Oct. 21, 1931

The Teachers College opens its hospitalization rooms on the first floor of Academic Hall, with Dr. O.L. Seabaugh and Lucille Kuger, a nurse, in charge; students will be given examinations and special attention when needed; the first patient in the unit is John Garvoli, backfield man of the college football team, who has a fractured collarbone.

Eight teams and about 18 men are engaged in grading work at the site of the new Missouri Utilities Co. water plant at Cape Rock.

100 years ago: Oct. 21, 1906

The Methodist Church in Cape Girardeau holds two memorial services in honor of the Rev. Sam P. Jones, one of the world's greatest evangelists and most noted Methodist preacher; the pastor, the Rev. E.T. Adams, speaks in the morning on "His Life and Ministry" and in the evening on "His Sermons, Sayings and Contribution to the World."

The scarcity of vacant houses in Cape Girardeau is causing the city the loss of many people who would like to locate here; perhaps the Commercial Club should encourage the building of 100 or so houses that could be rented to working men at reasonable rates.

-- Sharon K. Sanders