Out of the past 11/9/05

25 years ago: Nov. 9, 1980

The "Who Shot J.R. Contest," based on the popular "Dallas" television series, kicks off in the pages of The Southeast Missourian; a correct solution to TV's most notorious crime could net five winners a share in $150 in prizes from sponsoring advertisers.

The Royal Lipizzan Stallions, made famous by the Walt Disney movie, "The Miracle of the White Stallions," perform at Arena Park; the show is sponsored by the Cape Girardeau Jaycees.

50 years ago: Nov. 9, 1955

Striking employees of the Cape Girardeau plants of the International Shoe Co., seeking a higher wage scale in a new contract, will draw their final paychecks tomorrow until after the strike is settled; the checks will cover work done last week before the strike was called following a vote of union representatives of local employees.

A report to the City Traffic Advisory Committee shows that during the busy late afternoon rush, an average of 18 vehicles per minute cross over the 700 block of Broadway; the count was made by committee members in a continuing check of traffic in the block to determine the effect of left turns into the Kroger parking lot.

75 years ago: Nov. 9, 1930

The Baptist Student Union, composed of Baptist students at the Teachers College, was organized this week and will hold regular meetings every two weeks at the college; more than 100 Baptist students at the college are available for membership in the organization.

The Rev. F.L. Willshire, new pastor of New McKendree Methodist Church at Jackson, takes up his duties in the morning; Willshire comes to Cape Girardeau County from Texas, where he is highly recommended.

100 years ago: Nov. 9, 1905

Henry Meystedt, who owns a great deal of valuable property on Main and Water streets, announces he will again start into the pork-packing business; a large plant is about finished out on North Sprigg Street, and in a few days it will be ready for business; Meystedt also plans to open a retail store on the levee; he retired from the meat-packing business a year ago after 25 years in the business.

William P. Etling of St. Louis has purchased the Terminal Bar and will continue to conduct it on the high principles that have been in vogue under the ownership of Henry Phelps.

-- Sharon K. Sanders