Out of the past 10/31/06

25 years ago: Oct. 31, 1981

Twenty high school bands and numerous floats built by student organizations are featured in the annual Southeast Missouri State University Homecoming parade; this year's parade marshal is Dr. Joseph Low, university speech professor.

U.S. District Judge H. Kenneth Wangelin, in a ruling received by city officials yesterday, dismissed the seven-count litigation against the city of Cape Girardeau and a number of other defendants over the failed Westborough Mall project; however, George Staples Jr. of Charleston, Mo., the principal partner in the Westborough project and primary plaintiff in the suit, says the ruling will be appealed.

50 years ago: Oct. 31, 1956

Missouri Baptists, in their annual session in Cape Girardeau yesterday, approved the largest budget for missionary, education and benevolent purposes in the history of the Missouri Baptist General Association; the new 1957 budget goal for these causes is $2 million.

Flentge's Appliance Co. will kick off a three-day grand opening event tomorrow at its new location at 13 N. Sprigg St.; the firm, operated by John Flentge and his son, Richard, moved to the new location from 14 N. Sprigg St.

75 years ago: Oct. 31, 1931

With the election of officers for 1932, including the naming of Sadie Kent of Cape Girardeau as president, members of the Missouri Library Association close a successful three-day convention here.

The "West Broadway School" no longer exists; by the mere removal of the raised letters on the school building, it has become the "Broadway School," the word "west" having been taken off; also removed are the figures "1906," denoting the year the building was erected.

100 years ago: Oct. 31, 1906

The hay barn of Martin Krueger in the western part of Cape Girardeau was destroyed by fire last night; Krueger had the barn stored full of fine hay, and he values his loss at $800; he carried no insurance; Krueger believes the fire was deliberately set.

A number of Cape Girardeau's young people goes down to Commerce, Mo., to attend the annual Halloween masque ball given by the K.K.G. Club of that town; among the locals attending are Mrs. Mary L.C. Baggott, Mrs. Jennie Crowder, Marie Weber, Nell Lind, Irma Bader, Genevieve Tillman, Mrs. F.D. Bull, Paul H. Bull and Glen Vandivort.

-- Sharon K. Sanders