Out of the past 3/12/06

25 years ago: March 12, 1981

KENNETT, Mo. -- James Fulton, 28, died yesterday morning when the homemade airplane he was piloting -- a single-engine RV-3 -- plunged into a drive-in facility of the Bank of Kennett; although debris was scattered widely across U.S. 84, no other injuries were reported; Fulton, a former Air Force pilot, had taken off only seconds earlier from nearby Kennett Municipal Airport, where he worked.

Today's Southeast Missourian marks the introduction of its new electronic editing system and the latest in a series of technological advances for the print media; staff members began training on the Compugraphic system four days ago, but today's publication is the first day for complete system use; news stories are produced on video screens; previously, they were produced on typewriters.

50 years ago: March 12, 1956

A petition submitted Friday asking that the Cape Girardeau City Council repeal its ordinance on fluoridation of the public drinking water is withdrawn by O.C. Douglas, a member of the Civic 500, which was sponsoring the move.

A continuation of the legal process necessary to implement the 1956 paving program takes up the entire time at a special meeting of the Cape Girardeau City Council; March 26 is set as the date on which the council will receive bids for the first work of the season; they will be accepted for paving Perry Avenue at Scott Street, Ranchito Drive and Penny Avenue.

75 years ago: March 12, 1931

A resolution requesting Gov. Henry S. Caulfield to appoint a woman as member of the board of regents of the Cape Girardeau Teachers College was adopted by the local chapter of the American Association of University Women last night at the home of Mrs. Charles W. Boutin.

Using a wooded stick to break out a window pane, hoodlums last night ransacked the Aero Sandwich and Service Station on Highway 61, four miles south of Cape Girardeau, escaping with about $35 worth of merchandise.

100 years ago: March 12, 1906

James H. Brower, a socialist lecturer, discusses economic questions at the Eagles' Hall in the evening.

Roy Hayes, the black dispenser of hot tamales, came near losing a hand Saturday night; he tried to enter the skating rink for black folks to sell his delicacies, but the doorkeeper shut the door in his face; unwilling to accept such indignity, Hayes pushed the door open again, and the doorkeeper took a whack or two at his hand with a hatchet.

- Sharon K. Sanders