Out of the past

25 years ago: April 5, 1983

The Jackson Board of Aldermen last night approved a resolution authorizing the city to file a protest with the Interstate Commerce Commission over Missouri Pacific's proposed abandonment of the only rail line serving the community.

By a margin of almost three-to-one, Cape Girardeau voters passed the $5 million multipurpose building bond issue; the vote means the city of Cape Girardeau has authorization to sell $5 million worth of bonds which will be used to help construct a $12.9 million civic arena for the joint use of the city and Southeast Missouri State University.

50 years ago: April 5, 1958

A crowd of about 300 people attended the community Good Friday service yesterday at Christ Episcopal Church, sponsored by the Ministerial Alliance; eight members of the Cape Choraliers formed the choir under the direction of Crawford McClue.

A pre-Easter windstorm brings hail to the west and north sections of Cape Girardeau, causing light damage, mostly to roofs and windows; hailstones as large as a half-dollar are reported in some instances.

75 years ago: April 5, 1933

Figuring a way to keep the Cape Girardeau Public Schools fully accredited and in operation because of the defeat of a 25-cent tax levy in yesterday's election will be the task of the school board, says board president A.M. Spradling; revenue will be sliced considerably, says Spradling, due to assessment reduction of property values by the state and the defeat of the levy.

Twenty-five officials of International Shoe Co., representing the general offices in St. Louis, will be in Cape Girardeau Saturday for International Day; accompanying them will be Robert Wadlow, the 14-year-old boy giant of Alton, Ill., and his father.

100 years ago: April 5, 1908

The congregation of the Christian Church has let the contract for an addition to its edifice at the corner of Sprigg and Themis streets; the addition will be built to the rear of the building, which will provide a baptismal tank, a pastor's study and other rooms.

Frank Hawkins is trying to make good on the Normal School's baseball team as a pitcher; he has speed to burn and surprising control.

-- Sharon K. Sanders