Out of the past 10/27/11

25 years ago: Oct. 27, 1986

Residents in the south part of Jackson may have heard an explosion last night around 9; it was a hand grenade being "blown up" by city police and members of an explosive ordnance disposal squad from Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.; the grenade had been found that afternoon by a Jackson woman who was cleaning out her garage.

Cape Girardeau police are investigating damage that occurred over the weekend to the area of the downtown clock; police say damage to two posts on the south side of the clock, a 6-foot length of chain-link fence and a pear tree and planter may have been deliberate.

50 years ago: Oct. 27, 1961

A group of educators from Guadalajara, Mexico, under the auspices of the State Department, visited Cape Girardeau in 1961. From left to right were Dean of Students David Strand, welcoming the group leaders; Antonio Esteban Galderon, German Ibarra Montano, Jose Luis Ambrosio Jauregui, Arturo Gaxiaola Flores, Mauricio Barba Macias and Armando Herrera Mejia. (Missourian archives photo by G.D. "Frony" Fronabarger)

A tour of the Cape Girardeau area and a discussion with State College faculty members and students are made by 29 Mexican students, a professor and three interpreters who are visiting in the city under the auspices of the U.S. Department of State.

Clyde D. Harris, past president of First National Bank and a force in the growth and development of Cape Girardeau for more than four decades, dies in the morning at a local hospital.

75 years ago: Oct. 27, 1936

According to architect William B. Ittner, construction work on the new elementary school at the Old Lorimier School grounds can be started by Dec. 1; the building will face north, toward Independence Street.

Whether the city-county relief agency will purchase coal for needy families this season hasn't been determined, but calls, inspired by the first hint of winter, are coming in at the headquarters on Water Street.

100 years ago: Oct. 27, 1911

Thirty St. Louis businessmen are expected to arrive in Cape Girardeau in the morning, riding in two rail sleeping cars and having their own special dining car along; but the cars won't arrive by rail, but instead will come here on the big Frisco transport boat, the B.F. Yoakum, which is traveling to Baton Rouge, La.; the party will meet with the Commercial Club.

Secretary Arthur Bowman of the Commercial Club has received further correspondence from the Purity Paper Bottle Co. of Washington, D.C., regarding moving its plant here; the company seems anxious to relocate to Cape Girardeau.

-- Sharon K. Sanders