Out of the past 4/17/06

25 years ago: April 17, 1981

Paul James Leonard, well-known Jackson industrial executive and civic leader, died yesterday at a Cape Girardeau hospital; Leonard, 67, was co-founder of the Wagner Manufacturing Co., later known as Lenco Inc.

Bernie Parrish, author of "They Call It a Game," the hard-hitting book about life in the National Football League, spoke at a Sports and Society class at Southeast Missouri State University yesterday; the former all-pro cornerback, whose daughter, Teresa, is a member of the class, is now a private businessman in Edwardsville, Ill.

50 years ago: April 17, 1956

The Cape Girardeau City Council Monday gave its formal endorsement to countywide efforts to obtain Trail of Tears State Park, urging "the people of Cape Girardeau to actively support" the bond issue which will be voted a week from today.

Strawberries in the Cape Girardeau area escaped severe damage in a moderately heavy frost last night; but they, and certain fruits, aren't yet out of the woods; the forecast calls for another frost tonight and continued sub-freezing weather.

75 years ago: April 17, 1931

Charged with conspiracy to violate the national prohibition law, 15 people -- including the sheriff of Pemiscot County, five of his deputies and two other officers -- are indicted by the federal grand jury in a report submitted to Judge C.B. Faris; the indictments are the climax of a sweeping investigation into dry law conditions in that county.

Dr. George W. Vinyard, dean of physicians in this part of the state, says he is considering returning to Jackson again after making his home with a daughter in Cape Girardeau for several years; he expects to retire to the fine farm he owns on the east fork of Hubble Creek.

100 years ago: April 17, 1906

With the arrival in Cape Girardeau last night of president George W. Caudle of the Southern Metal and Manufacturing Co., the last vestige of doubt concerning the actual establishment of the big smelting plant in this city is removed; Caudle says he has come to Cape Girardeau with the intention of staying until construction of the plant is well underway.

Louis Brinkopf and brothers this week finished the foundations for the new boiler house and the gas tanks for the electric light company.

-- Sharon K. Sanders