Out of the past 4/13/07

25 years ago: April 13, 1982

About 100 United Transportation Union members employed by Burlington Northern Railroad in Cape Girardeau and Scott counties join in a strike against the railroad in what is described as a dispute over working conditions.

Cape Girardeau's proposed multipurpose civic arena would be home for everything from banquets and conventions to ice hockey and football, if a way is found to incorporate all the usages suggested at yesterday's meeting of the city's multipurpose advisory committee.

50 years ago: April 13, 1957

A cold snap, with temperatures sinking to 28 degrees, apparently cuts into the potential fruit production in the Cape Girardeau area; Cape Girardeau County strawberries are hard hit.

The 140th Infantry's new National Guard armory in Arena Park is given an inspection by Guard officials, including Col. G.W. Prichard, architect-engineer; as soon as the building is given an official okay, the local companies and regimental staff will move in.

75 years ago: April 13, 1932

The first conference between the new Cape Girardeau City Council and representatives of the Missouri Utilities Co., regarding operations of the new water plant at Cape Rock, was held last night; after a review of the situation, the council instructed City Counselor Frank Lowry to dismiss the city's present application to the Public Service Commission asking for an order directing Missouri Utilities to put the new plant in operation; Lowry and Mayor Edward Drum, at the conclusion of the meeting, agreed that the matter of the new plant is now up to the utilities company.

The mercury sinks to 31 degrees in the early morning at Cape Girardeau, but it isn't thought extensive damage was done to fruit and garden crops.

100 years ago: April 13, 1907

The Terminal Hotel on Main Street is proving a place of interest this week; plans for the new Roberts, Johnson and Rand shoe factory, which will be built in Cape Girardeau, are displayed there.

The managers of the new Dreamland Theatre on Main Street arrive in Cape Girardeau on the boat with all the necessary paraphernalia to put the place in operation; the Dreamland is scheduled to open Monday.

-- Sharon K. Sanders