Out of the past 10/7/05

25 years ago: Oct. 7, 1980

Crop production losses due to this summer's heat and drought totaled $19 million in Cape Girardeau County alone, and some $309 million in a 12-county area of Southeast Missouri, according to figures from the Agricultural Conservation and Stabilization Service.

Republican congressional hopeful Bill Emerson says he will attend only one of the 18 debates U.S. Rep. Bill D. Burlison proposed on the steps of courthouses throughout the 10th District between now and Nov. 3; Burlison, meanwhile, turns down three dates for debates proposed by Emerson; as its stands, only two debates are certain: One at Farmington, Mo., on Oct. 14 and another at Kennett, Mo., on Oct. 21.

50 years ago: Oct. 7, 1955

Post office officials say that sewer construction work in Rodney Vista and street improvements on Minnesota Street south of Bloomfield is hampering trucks which make mounted deliveries.

Cape Girardeau's Rose Display Garden is now on the All-American Rose Selections approve list of public rose gardens.

75 years ago: Oct. 7, 1930

Only three small tracts of land remain to be secured to complete the necessary land for the right of way of the set-back levee to be constructed by the federal government from Nash, Mo., to near Allenville along the Little River Diversion Channel; these should be secured within a few days.

Tools of warfare, used by Cape Girardeau police against offenders of the law, turn against their users and cause a near riot at police headquarters; Capt. Charles Schweer drops a tiny instrument resembling a fountain pen, but which is loaded with tear gas; the occupants of the building are routed, including members of the fire department.

100 years ago: Oct. 7, 1905

Hoyt's Big Company, which opens its engagement at the Opera House Monday night in the great comedy success, "Nature's Nobleman," is the same company, only stronger, that gave such eminent satisfaction through the South last season and broke the record for attendance in the cities of the South; all the plays to be presented during the engagement are new to the theatrical public of Cape Girardeau.

M.E. Leming receives word that Sen. William J. Stone will be in Cape Girardeau Monday for the opening of the federal court; the former governor will be the "lion" of the occasion and will be extensively entertained.

-- Sharon K. Sanders