Out of the past 11/15/01

10 years ago: Nov. 15, 1991

With defeat of Proposition B and continued squeeze in state funding, Southeast Missouri State University officials say they will have to make some tough budget decisions in coming years; after budget cuts and withholding, Southeast is operating with $28.9 million in state funding for 1992 fiscal year, lowest it has been in several years.

The 1991 SEMO District Fair posted profit of $53,000, according to District Fair Association President Pete Poe; but that profit excludes cost of pre-fair improvements association paid for at Arena Park; those cost about $32,000, making for $21,000 profit.

25 years ago: Nov. 15, 1976

Dry fall weather has accelerated harvests of both grain crops and soybeans in Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois; in Scott County, which was declared drought disaster by U.S. Agriculture Department, only bright side of this year's crop has been dry fall weather that has aided with harvest.

When 28th Missourian Art Exhibition opens Saturday afternoon, just under half of exhibitors - 57 of 118 - will be Cape Girardeau; together, they will display 102 of 215 paintings in this year's show, which will be held in The Missourian business office and newsroom.

50 years ago: Nov. 15, 1951

Big tractor-trailer truck loaded with oranges shears off portion of bridge abutment and plunges down 50-foot embankment early today at Frisco Railroad viaduct on new Highway 61 five miles south of Cape Girardeau; at bottom of embankment, heavy trailer unit rolls end over end over tractor, smashing cab.

Southeast Missouri District Fair stockholders were told last night 1951 fair lost $4,557; but state aid aggregating $5,046 and bill outstanding to Cape Girardeau for $662 kept fair's overall finances in black.

75 years ago: Nov. 15, 1926

Cape Girardeau retail merchants meet in evening at Chamber of Commerce rooms to make plans for observance of Christmas; it is decided, among other things, that uniform Christmas street decorations will be used this year, but type of ornamentation is yet to be selected; three Christmas trees will be provided by merchants.

Last night's program over radio station KFVS, Hirsch Battery and Radio Co., is well received, despite weather conditions which aren't good for radio reception; 39 long-distance telephone calls were received during course of operation, while numerous local radio enthusiasts also express their appreciation.

- Sharon K. Sanders