Out of the past

25 years ago: March 15, 1983

Robert A. Dempster, a prominent Sikeston, Mo., lawyer and a major benefactor of Southeast Missouri State University, has been named president of the newly formed Southeast Missouri State University Foundation.

The Cape Girardeau City Council set a public hearing for March 28 to discuss converting Broadway to two-way traffic between Pacific and Lorimier streets; last fall, in response to public appeals, the council voted to change the street from one-way traffic; but as the deadline nears, more people say they want additional discussion of the issue.

50 years ago: March 15, 1958

As soon as the cold weather breaks and warm days return, the contractor for the Cape Girardeau floodwall will resume full-scale operations on contracts totaling $1,303,000; that work by L.C. Barcus & Sons of Kansas City never halted, but it was curtailed somewhat by the extreme winter weather.

The Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce is advised that the House appropriations committee in Washington has authorized an appropriation for a survey for a harbor on the Mississippi River here.

75 years ago: March 15, 1933

Cape Girardeau's two banks, along with others in Southeast Missouri, reopen for business, and banking activity, suspended for nine days by presidential proclamation, is resumed without incident; deposits are extremely heavy at both of Cape Girardeau's banks, Farmers & Merchants and First National.

Phillip H. Steck, former city commissioner, says he will be a candidate for election to the Cape Girardeau school board.

100 years ago: March 15, 1908

Knights of Columbus storm Cape Girardeau; big delegations come here from St. Louis, Ste. Genevieve, Farmington, Bonne Terre, Caruthersville, and a special train on the Houck Railroad brings a big crowd from Perryville; State Deputy John Leahy, a prominent St. Louis attorney, initiates the class.

Charles Mammon and Henry Maevers, two well-known farmers living in the Bend above Cape Girardeau, plan to leave early this week for Texas, where they may buy land; Mammon had a public sale yesterday, which was heavily attended.

-- Sharon K. Sanders