Out of the past 4/2/05

25 years ago: April 2, 1980

A near-perfect spring day and a red-carpet greeting welcomes the Delta Queen and its special passengers to Cape Girardeau; the historic steamer debarks about 170 Stanford University alumni taking part in its "College on the Mississippi River" travel study program for tours of the city's points of interest.

The condition of several railroad crossings in Cape Girardeau has again been brought to the attention of the city which, in turns, has notified the Missouri Pacific Railroad that unless repairs to the crossings are completed by the end of the month, the city will contract for the work and bill the railroad; in need of repairs are crossings on Hanover, Park, Sheridan, William, Henderson, Boulevard, Willow and Giboney streets.

50 years ago: April 2, 1955

Dr. William H. Wescoat, who practiced medicine in Oran, Mo., and Cape Girardeau for a half century until poor health forced his retirement in 1949, dies at a local hospital; Wescoat was born in 1875 at Farmington; he attended schools there and went to Marion Sims College of Medicine and Surgery, the forerunner of St. Louis University medical school, graduating in 1898.

For the first time, a State College debate team will fly to a meet, leaving Sunday accompanied by its coach, Forrest H. Rose; Ellodean Phillips and Lenore Bierman will compete at the national Pi Kappa Delta convention and tournament at Redlands, Calif.

75 years ago: April 2, 1930

A corps of 10 census enumerators for Cape Girardeau and a total of 26 in the entire county begin the task of getting official information for people residing in the area; armed with books in which are listed 32 questions, the information seekers begin a difficult task which will all be finished in nearly half a month.

Alexander Weiss, 72, is found dead at his grocery store, 906 S. Sprigg St., in the morning, when neighbors with the aid of a police officer batter down a locked door, after Weiss fails to open for business.

100 years ago: April 2, 1905

Louis Strauss has just completed for Louis Houck a modern, fireproof store room in the south end of the city where the old Lorimier Hotel stood; the building, measuring 40 by 60 feet, is composed of concrete throughout.

M.B. Siemers, who recently purchased the Arcade Saloon, gave a grand opening last night; well-known chef Robert Litterer catered the event, serving hot roast beef with side dishes.

-- Sharon K. Sanders