Out of the past 3/21/10

25 years ago: March 21, 1985

A last-minute attempt by supporters of the Southeast Missouri State University Laboratory School to delay action to close the facility is rejected by the board of regents; following the unanimous action by the four regents present, work will begin immediately on a 17-point package that will redirect teacher education at the university.

Armed with umbrellas to ward off the rain, Cape Girardeau and Southeast Missouri State University officials hold a groundbreaking ceremony in the morning at the site of the planned multipurpose building.

50 years ago: March 21, 1960

A field of three candidates for mayor -- incumbent Walter H. Ford, W. Ernest Walker and Thaddeus Bullock -- and 22 for commissioner, possibly the largest number in the history of commission government in Cape Girardeau, will go to the post tomorrow in the city primary election.

Professor G. Carl Schowengerdt, a professor of agriculture at State College, has been elected president of the National Association of College Teachers of Agriculture.

75 years ago: March 21, 1935

A murky pall hangs over Cape Girardeau and Southeast Missouri as the western dust storm reaches this section; visibility in the city is limited to a half-dozen blocks; the wind-blown particles are fine and resemble pulverized sand.

Acting on a petition filed in federal court in St. Louis yesterday, Judge C.B. Faris issued an order directing Clyde A. Vandivort, receiver of the Cape Girardeau Bridge Co., to supply information on the operating income and expenditures of the bridge to those interested as prospective bidders for the company's properties.

100 years ago: March 21, 1910

As the Kettle River Quarries Co. will begin work Wednesday on Spanish Street in the putting down of creosoted wood block paving, it is necessary for property holders along the street, who haven't already done so, to get their gas and water connections made at once.

A large number of workers busily engaged in putting the finishing touches on the Lorena Booth indicates a speedy completion of the vessel; a crowd of spectators has been taking an interest in its completion.

-- Sharon K. Sanders