Out of the Past 11/21/06

25 years ago: Nov. 21, 1981

What local school administrators believe began with a Central High School student researching the Ku Klux Klan mushroomed into racial suspicion and innuendo between some black and white students; by Friday, after a week of growing tension, rumors filled the school that demonstrations and organizational meetings of both the Klan and the Black Panthers were being scheduled at the school.

Two Marquette Cement Co. employees are injured in a mishap at the Cape Girardeau plant; both employees -- Allan Raines and Richard A. Gentry -- suffer facial burns and Raines suffers a broken ankle when he falls.

50 years ago: Nov. 21, 1956

Ray W. Call, president of the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce, says that contacts will be made through the Missouri Chamber of Commerce in Jefferson City to secure applicants for the vacant secretary-manager post of the local organization; the resignation of Weir M. Marcus, who had held the position the past 12 years, was accepted by the board of directors Monday night.

One of the most important street improvements made by the Fornfelt City Council in recent months is the opening of a new street at the east end of town connecting State Street which runs into Illmo.

75 years ago: Nov. 21, 1931

Cape Girardeau firefighter Harry Rabe completes a fire prevention inspection of the businesses of the city, with today's inspection confined to the Teachers College; few serious hazards were found by Rabe during his five-week inspection.

More than 75 high school pupils of Southeast Missouri register at the one-day session of the folk drama school being held at the Teachers College for the primary purpose of interest to the pupils in local history; many plan to enter plays in the folk drama contest that closes Jan. 3, 1932.

100 years ago: Nov. 21, 1906

For the last week or more, rumors have penetrated every corner of the region concerning the probable sale of the Cape Girardeau and Chester Railroad, better known as the Houck road, to one of the big lines; the most recent rumor has it being taken over by the Iron Mountain; but Louis Houck has not uttered a word about the matter.

The rains of the last few days have played havoc with many interests in Cape Girardeau; the Frisco Railroad has been the heaviest sufferer.

-- Sharon K. Sanders