Out of the past 10/21/11

25 years ago: Oct. 21, 1986

The city council met behind closed doors last night to select a citizens utility committee, despite legal advice that the closing might violate the state's open meetings law; the committee will review the city's utility franchise agreements with Union Electric Co.

Actress Vicki Lawrence, whose character "Mama" has been featured in an eight-week advertising campaign locally, visits Cape Girardeau in the afternoon to promote the United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 655.

50 years ago: Oct. 21, 1961

An election to determine if Cape Girardeau should participate in the federal public housing program appears probable in the aftermath of a Common Pleas Court decision declaring invalid an ordinance creating the Cape Girardeau Housing Authority; while the city council can't initiate such an election, the most likely way to get the issue on the ballot is through an initiative petition.

A new, unmarked patrol car for the Cape Girardeau Police Department is put into service; purchased from Rueseler motor company, the vehicle's radio equipment was installed by Sonny Johnson.

75 years ago: Oct. 21, 1936

The vanguard of Southeast Missouri teachers, coming tomorrow and Friday for their 61st annual convention, arrives today; officials with the Southeast Missouri Teachers Association estimate at least 3,500 will attend; headlining the convention will be two lectures tomorrow given by Rear Adm. l Richard E. Byrd, famed explorer of the Arctic and Antarctic.

D.B. Bowers establishes a photographic department at the Newberry store, 15 N. Main St.; he will make direct positive portraits in three minutes, as well as enlargements.

100 years ago: Oct. 21, 1911

Heeding the "back to the farm" call, Ed Nabe has returned to Cape Girardeau County to resume the free and happy life close to nature after 10 years of St. Louis living; his farm is on the Perryville Road, five miles north of Cape Girardeau.

During Normal School football practice yesterday, Ben Lightfoot, one of coach H.F. Schulte's trio of Lightfoot brothers, composing his back line, was injured in a collision with his brother, Ed; Ben Lightfoot sustained a rupture, causing him excruciating pain.

-- Sharon K. Sanders