Out of the past 11/17/11

25 years ago: Nov. 17, 1986

The old barn that was set to be razed at the Southeast Missouri State University wildlife sanctuary is given a reprieve to allow a committee of the Cape Girardeau Historical Society to study its history.

About 10 property owners living in a southside neighborhood appeal to the city council to take over maintenance of a private sewer; residents are experiencing sewage backup problems in the 600 block of South Park Street and the 1200 and 1300 blocks of Jefferson Avenue.

50 years ago: Nov. 17, 1961

Homecoming at State College kicks off in the evening with the annual Alumni Council supper; fair weather is expected for tomorrow's activities, including the Homecoming parade and football game against the Murray State College Thoroughbreds.

Another in a series of expansion programs by business interests along U.S. 61 at the north entrance to the city is announced; Louis Bahn, president of Sands Motel Inc., says additional ground is being acquired east of the establishment on which construction of a restaurant will begin within 60 days.

75 years ago: Nov. 17, 1936

Acting on a proposal by a Jaycees committee and a few community leaders, the city council has instructed city attorney R.P. Smith to draw up an ordinance calling for a special bond issue election, with the $50,000 to be voted upon to be used, if approved, as the city's part in a west side recreational and fairground project; the project would be carried out with WPA labor.

Two members of the fire department -- chief Harry C. Rabe and assistant chief Vincent Unnerstall -- are returned to their places on the force following a conference of members of the city council last night.

100 years ago: Nov. 17, 1911

August Huters of Cape Girardeau, who is making good as the instructor in manual training in the Santa Monica, Calif., schools, is putting in part of his time raising fine persimmons; he recently sent some home to his parents, just to show what he can do.

Ben Bueltemann, the plasterer, is about through with the Walther building on Broadway, and is beginning the plastering of the Grissom three-story building on Broadway; he has two more large contracts awaiting him in north Cape Girardeau.

-- Sharon K. Sanders