Out of the past 4/16/10

25 years ago: April 16, 1985

Saint Francis Medical Center announces it has joined Southeast Missouri Regional Home Health Agency to provide home health care services to hospital patients upon discharge; the service will be known as SEMO-Saint Francis Visiting Nurse Association.

An armed man last night held up Par Gas for $2,400 as an employee was counting money in plain view of the service window; it is the second robbery there in a week and the third in four months.

50 years ago: April 16, 1960

An electrical display board has been erected by Park Commissioner J.W. McBride at the Kingsway entrance to Arena Park to announce coming attractions at the city's Arena Building; the building is in almost constant use by many in-town and out-of-town organizations.

The Cape Girardeau Jaycees sponsor a "Road-e-o" at Central High School; John M. Baker wins the competition; he will participate in the state Road-e-o, where the prize is a $2,000 scholarship to the college of the winner's choice.

75 years ago: April 16, 1935

Cold weather overnight didn't damage the fruit crops in the area as had been feared; nor did it keep Girardeans from enjoying the circus; about 3,000 people attended the afternoon and evening performances given at Fairground Park by the Russell Bros. Circus.

Excavation begins at 512 N. Pacific St. for the basement and foundation of a two-story brick dwelling for Mr. and Mrs. W.G. Bartels; the $6,000 house will contain eight rooms and two baths.

100 years ago: April 16, 1910

The band of gypsies that went over to Jackson after a week's pestering of Cape Girardeau folks has come back to the vicinity of this city; they didn't camp within the city limits this time because of the recently passed ordinance concerning nomads.

Mr. and Mrs. Ed Massengale arrive on the steamer Cape Girardeau; they are going to make their home in Cape Girardeau again.

-- Sharon K. Sanders