Out of the past 10/22/09

25 years ago: Oct. 22, 1984

Vice President George Bush tells an enthusiastic crowd at Southeast Missouri State University in the morning that President Ronald Reagan was clearly the winner in yesterday's final presidential debate with Democratic hopeful Walter Mondale; about 600 people participate in an "Ask George Bush" session.

The Cape Girardeau Fire Department is understaffed because of the retirement of two firefighters and the resignation of two others.

50 years ago: Oct. 22, 1959

Members of the State College student council have chosen 11 candidates for the first Homecoming queen in the history of the school: Carolyn Hopkins, Mary Swafford, Brenda Berger, Trudy Strand, Marlene Schnarr, Ruth Ann Dolle, Joan Schneider, Sherri Campbell, Gail Kellogg, Penny Holmes and Rosalie Oliver.

Trees and the appearance of Courthouse Park are being spruced up this week as part of the city's program to encourage repair and replacement of trees on city parkways and parks.

75 years ago: Oct. 22, 1934

W.F.D. Batjer submits his resignation as chairman of the county relief committee; Batjer says relief activities were interfering with his regular work as secretary of the Chamber of Commerce.

Contending the Depression was directly chargeable to President Herbert Hoover, Sen. Bennett C. Clark, speaking at Courthouse Park, upholds the Roosevelt administration as the key to the country's return to prosperity.

100 years ago: Oct. 22, 1909

Construction of a big arch at the foot of Themis Street begins in the morning, as does work on the speaker's stand at the Normal School; decorators are also putting up bunting throughout the town in preparation for the coming of President William H. Taft on Oct. 26.

Anxious to beautify the approach to the City Cemetery, the ladies of the Cemetery Association will plant 112 trees along the driveway up the hill leading to the cemetery gates.

-- Sharon K. Sanders