Out of the past 11/3/08

25 years ago: Nov. 3, 1983

Cape Girardeau becomes the largest city in the state to be awarded the status of an All-Missouri Certified City; the announcement culminates a year-long process to meet the Community and Economic Development Department's tough criteria.

The Missouri Committee for the Humanities has established the M.G. Lorberg Jr. Lecture to honor the late Southeast Missouri State University speech professor.

50 years ago: Nov. 3, 1958

Interest sparked by almost complete slates of candidates by both parties and the controversy engendered over the collector's race may bring out a record off-year vote in Tuesday's general election in Cape Girardeau County.

The Cape Girardeau Board of Education approves two contracts for construction of a new elementary school west of Dennis Scivally Park; Ben Sides Construction Co. is awarded the contract for the general work on the new building, while Kelpe Electric Co. will do the electrical work.

75 years ago: Nov. 3, 1933

CHAFFEE, Mo. — Fire of undetermined origin, but which is believed to have started in the sanctuary, virtually destroys the interior of St. Ambrose Catholic Church just before noon; the sacristy, housing sacred valuables and priestly robes, is gutted by the blaze, but not before all valuables, including the garments, are moved to safety.

With not enough vehicles available, it appears the Tigerettes, the pep squad of Central High School girls, will be left behind tomorrow when the high school football team and its followers depart for the game at Paducah, Ky.; enough cars have been secured to transport the school band and girls' drum corps.

100 years ago: Nov. 3, 1908

A big crowd of people assembles at the Commercial Club rooms and on Main Street to read the election bulletins displayed by the telephone company; Cape Girardeau's votes in the presidential election likely won't be counted until tomorrow.

G.W. Land, formerly manager of the Vories Business College of Indianapolis, the second largest commercial college in the United States, takes charge of Moothart Commercial College in Cape Girardeau.

— Sharon K. Sanders