Out of the past 3/20/06

25 years ago: March 20, 1981

The construction of a canopy over two doors of the Common Pleas Courthouse has outraged members of the Greater Cape Girardeau Historical Association, whose president claims the porch "ruins the whole appearance of the courthouse."

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- The Missouri Department of Conservation would like to buy Tower Rock, a landmark along the Mississippi River in Perry County; the county owns the property; however, approximately 32 acres around the rock were donated to the conservation department in 1972 for the establishment of the Tower Rock Natural Area.

50 years ago: March 20, 1956

No action had been taken today on a petition for a writ of mandamus which would have forced removal of 13 names of commission candidates from today's Cape Girardeau primary election ballot; as a result, ballots are being given to voters with the names of all 16 candidates listed, and voting continues normally without any change in procedure.

The Cape Girardeau City Council has set April 9 as the date for a public hearing on a request for a change in zoning; yesterday, Sen. Albert M. Spradling Jr. and Burton J. Gerhardt appeared before the council to ask that a triangle of land between Marsha Kay Drive and Kingshighway be rezoned from Class A, one-family use, to Class E or F, commercial use.

75 years ago: March 20, 1931

Frances Schouse of Kansas City, Mo., a trained nurse of many years' experience in both nursing and hospital management, is employed by the board of trustees of Southeast Missouri Hospital as superintendent of the institution; she succeeds Theresia M. Norberg, who resigned recently to become superintendent of a Kansas hospital.

A new Cape Girardeau Boy Scout troop was registered yesterday at area headquarters; the new troop, sponsored by Trinity Lutheran Church, is the sixth in the city; Martin L. Roth is scoutmaster.

100 years ago: March 20, 1906

Jacob White, who has charge of the educational and exhibit car for the Frisco Railroad, entertains a few farmers on the car in the afternoon; in the evening, about two dozen residents go to the Commercial Club rooms to hear him lecture on scientific farming.

The Butler County sheriff is sending out invitations for the big "society reception" to be held Friday at Poplar Bluff, Mo.

-- Sharon K. Sanders