Out of the past 4/2/12

25 years ago: April 2, 1987

The Southeast Missouri State University Board of Regents unanimously accepts a proposal to establish a major in non-medical health management that, if approved by the Missouri Coordinating Board of Education, would meet a need for such a major not only in the region but statewide.

Construction is underway to widen the intersection of highways 61 and 25 in Jackson; the project will expand the intersection to six lanes for better traffic flow from east to north on Highway 61; bridges near the intersection will also be widened.

50 years ago: April 2, 1962

The State Highway Commission wishes to cut a major east-west thoroughfare through State College property to relieve the Broadway traffic load; the plans are apparently part of the state urban street program in the making for about three years and believed nearly ready for release.

One of the two top winners in the second Southeast Missouri Regional Science Fair, Dan Golightly, will return Tuesday to judge this year's fair; Golightly is a senior at State College, majoring in chemistry and mathematics.

75 years ago: April 2, 1937

Dr. Tom "Humpy" Collins, 49, a physician at Caruthersville, Mo., and one-time student and athlete in Cape Girardeau, died yesterday at a Memphis hospital; a student at the college here in 1910-1911, he played baseball and football, and later for several years was catcher for the Capahas.

The cornerstone for the new Lorimier School is placed in an afternoon ceremony; with a large number of leading educators of the community and district participating, current and historic papers are sealed into the two-foot Bedford limestone block, which is installed in the main wall of the structure, just to the left of the main entrance to the new school.

100 years ago: April 2, 1912

The Mississippi River is expected to rise to 35 feet at Cape Girardeau within the next 48 hours; while no damage has yet been done here, flooding is widespread at Cairo, Ill., and New Madrid, Mo.

The Grand Theater is being given a general overhauling this week; many improvements are being made; the new place will be given a grand opening Monday night with the United Daughters of the Confederacy play.

-- Sharon K. Sanders