Out of the past 4/15/06

25 years ago: April 15, 1981

Representatives of the Missouri State Teachers Association are meeting with Cape Girardeau Superintendent of Schools Arthur H. Turner and Community Teachers Association officials to pore over figures that teachers hope will result in a higher salary increase next year; the meetings will likely continue throughout most of the day.

Mayor Howard Tooke, who earlier in the week said he had reservations about some of the aspects of the Public Administration Service's report on the Cape Girardeau Police Department, questions PAS representative Charles Hale for more than an hour and a half on the firm's report.

50 years ago: April 15, 1956

Lon Maxey of the General Sign Co. Friday was announced as the winner in a contest to design the official seal to be used during the Cape Girardeau Sesquicentennial Celebration; the design shows a steamer on the river with smoke belching from its stacks.

The U.S. Navy Band from the Great Lakes Naval Training Station will participate in the Cape Girardeau Sesquicentennial Celebration in August; the band will be available one day and will participate in the parade.

75 years ago: April 15, 1931

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Gov. H.S. Caulfield announces the reappointment of Ralph Brissenden, Republican, of Cape Girardeau, as state grain and warehouse commissioner for a term ending April 15, 1935; Brissenden is residing temporarily in Kansas City, Mo.

Four new electric neon signs are being installed on the Hotel Idan-Ha building; a new neon sign was installed there a few weeks ago, and the structure will now have four electric signs on its Broadway frontage and one on the Fountain Street frontage.

100 years ago: April 15, 1906

Easter Sunday is observed at Cape Girardeau churches with special programs of sacred music; at the Presbyterian Church, a splendid program is given in the evening, with Mrs. A.R. Ponder, the leading soprano, giving two solos and Mrs. Henry Ossenkop giving one.

The beautiful weather brings out large crowds of churchgoers; in the morning hours, large throngs of beautifully gowned women gather at the Catholic and Episcopal churches; later toward noon, the congregations of the Protestant churches in all parts of the city keep the streets alive with harmonious blends of colors.

-- Sharon K. Sanders