Out of the past 3/9/06

25 years ago: March 9, 1981

The traffic signals at the intersection of Broadway and Caruthers in Cape Girardeau are scheduled to be removed today and replaced with stop signs, while construction crews prepare for the installation of new signals in about three weeks.

CAIRO, Ill. -- A multi-million dollar renovation project on the Highway 60-62 bridge over the Mississippi River here will likely be delayed until next fall, officials with the Missouri and Illinois transportation departments say; planners hoped to begin the project this spring with the two states splitting the cost.

50 years ago: March 9, 1956

The urgency of building needs at State College -- particularly a science building -- to solve the pressure of expanding enrollment and needed faculty to care for it was impressed on members of the appropriations committee of the Missouri House by college officials last night; committee members toured the college buildings with W.W. Parker, president, and Forrest H. Rose, dean, who described critical crowded conditions.

Elmer E. Shrout has filed a petition with the Cape Girardeau city clerk, placing his name on the ballot as candidate for city commissioner at the upcoming municipal election; he is the 10th candidate to file for the office.

75 years ago: March 9, 1931

Cape Girardeau's dash of belated wintry weather hasn't fully worn off today, although the sun is shining brightly following an overcast day yesterday.

Negotiations for the purchase or lease of a downtown Cape Girardeau site as the projected location of a new theater are underway, according to reports; Southern Illinois interests are said to be involved in the negotiations; the Fox interests, which operate three houses here, opened the Fox Cape, formerly the Park Theater, two months ago to meet the demand for a downtown show house.

100 years ago: March 9, 1906

A census that is greatly pleasing the women of Cape Girardeau is in progress; the four census takers aren't asking for ages, and all the feminine population of the city is answering readily the few questions asked.

Morris Kemp, a professional theatrical man of St. Louis, Mo., is in Cape Girardeau; he was informed that Cape Girardeau was to have an opera house, and he came down to see if he could secure a lease on it; Kemp says he would agree to bring some of the greatest stars of the profession here and that all attractions would be in keeping with those secured by Cairo, Ill.

- Sharon K. Sanders