Out of the past 3/29/05

25 years ago: March 29, 1980

After a career that spanned nearly 40 years, John Lloyd Blue retired yesterday as executive editor of The Southeast Missourian; he was hired in July 1940 to fill in for vacationing staff writers for a weekly check of $17.50.

A deadline of May 30 has been set for the negotiating of fire department salaries between the city of Cape Girardeau and Firefighters Local 1084; the firefighters want the city to do away with the present pay plan and instead initiate annual cost of living pay raises based upon the Consumer Price Index.

50 years ago: March 29, 1955

CHARLESTON, Mo. -- It is expected that Mississippi and New Madrid County landowners will urge abandonment of the Birds Point-New Madrid spillway tomorrow, when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers hold the first of a series of hearings to review the entire flood-control program in the lower Mississippi River valley; the floodway was authorized in 1928 as part of the Jadwin flood-control plan.

By unanimous vote Monday, the state Senate passed a bill to establish a permanent branch office of the Workmen's Compensation Commission at Cape Girardeau.

75 years ago: March 29, 1930

With the setup for the district complete, final arrangements are being made by Carl F. Bloker of Caruthersville, Mo., the district supervisor, to start next Wednesday taking the decennial census in Southeast Missouri.

A blaze of unknown origins badly damages the two-story brick apartment house at 200 S. Spanish St., owned by Mrs. M. Bahn; the fire starts in the attic and gains considerable headway before firemen reach the scene.

100 years ago: March 29, 1905

J.W. Dotson, who established the Montezuma Tea and Coffee Co. in Cape Girardeau a few years ago, has the agency for the Cracker Jack brand washing machine, which has been on display at Jones & Co.'s Racket Store; the machine is a wonder, and every housewife will want one.

The Elks hold a big meeting in the evening, electing officers and afterward enjoying a smoker; officers are: W.R. Smith, exalted ruler; M.A. Dempsey, exalted leading knight; L. Caruthers, exalted loyal knight; A.B. Milby, exalted lecturing knight; H.L. Machen, treasurer; Otto Eckhardt, secretary; E.M. Thilenius, tiler; and L.J. Albert Sr., trustee.

-- Sharon K. Sanders