Out of the past 3/17/06

25 years ago: March 17, 1981

Southeast Missouri State University's eighth national fraternity, and the first one on the campus which is traditionally black, is officially chartered at a banquet at the University Center; the date is exactly two years after a group of eight male students at Southeast was officially recognized as a colony of Alpha Phi Alpha; the new Xi Gamma Chapter has 10 members.

CAIRO, Ill. -- After years of financial difficulties, which at times threatened the very existence of Cairo's only hospital, Southern Medical Center may have turned the corner this week; the Farmers Home Administration announced yesterday it will "close out" a $650,000 loan to Southern Medical in a ceremony Thursday.

50 years ago: March 17, 1956

Dr. W.W. Parker, president of Southeast Missouri State College for 23 years -- longest tenure of any president in the 83-year history of the institution -- submits his resignation to the board of regents, effective July 1; he announces his retirement with regret, but says the decision was made on the advice of his physician.

Top honors in The Missourian Regional Spelling Bee again are won by a representative of St. Mary's School in Cape Girardeau, the second time in two years.

75 years ago: March 17, 1931

Representatives of four oil companies in Cape Girardeau appeared before the city council Monday and filed petitions containing names of residents of the city opposed to a one-cent retail tax on gasoline.

The W.E. Callahan Construction Co. of St. Louis, Mo., is expected to begin moving machinery to Cape Girardeau this month preliminary to construction work on the levee-strengthening project along the Diversion Channel south of here; the contract with the government calls for rebuilding the levee along the canal from Allenville to the Frisco Railroad main line south of Cape Girardeau.

100 years ago: March 17, 1906

Jacob Busch, who lives near the County Farm, has decided to give up farming and will dispose of his things at a public sale on March 31; Busch bought a sawmill at Illmo this week and will take charge at once; his son will conduct his other mill, which will soon be moved south of Cape Girardeau.

F.R. Cross and family arrive on the steamer Grey Eagle with their household effects and will set up housekeeping on North Frederick Street; Cross and J.M. Shy have bought the grocery store owned by the late W.H. Hitt.

-- Sharon K. Sanders