Out of the past 3/6/05

25 years ago: March 6, 1980

Bill J. Reynolds, former Cape Girardeau retailer and earlier a longtime sports announcer, has filed as a Republican candidate for county treasurer; this is his first attempt at public office.

The two Republican candidates for governor, sharing a platform in Cape Girardeau at the annual Lincoln Day event, exhibit different styles in bidding for their party's support; Lt. Gov. William Phelps comes down hard in his criticism of the past performances of his opponent, former governor Kit Bond; Bond doesn't reply in kind, aiming his sharpest barbs at Democratic Gov. Joseph P. Teasdale.

50 years ago: March 6, 1955

Members of the Christian Church conduct a census of the northwest section of the city in anticipation of their coming move to the new building on North Boulevard.

Monsignor Marion F. Forst, pastor of St. Mary's Catholic Church, is invested in his office of papal chamberlain; conducting the service is Archbishop Joseph E. Ritter of St. Louis.

75 years ago: March 6, 1930

Final concrete work on the bridge over Cape LaCroix Creek on the Gordonville Road west of Cape Girardeau was completed yesterday under the direction of D.M. Scivally, engineer for the Cape Special Road District; the structure will be opened to traffic next week.

The steamer Golden Eagle of the Eagle Packet Line of St. Louis steams north on the Mississippi River from her winter quarters at Paducah, Ky., to St. Louis; the craft, with which all Girardeans are familiar, stops here briefly to take on a few provisions for the crew.

100 years ago: March 6, 1905

M.E. Leming, lumber merchant and president of the Commercial Club, announces he is a candidate for mayor of Cape Girardeau; a special ticket is being prepared, which will be made public tomorrow.

The steamer Savannah, which is taking the place of the Chester while the latter is on the ways at Paducah undergoing repairs, docks early in the morning and unloads a large lot of freight, but no passengers.

-- Sharon K. Sanders