Out of the past 4/30/09

25 years ago: April 30, 1984

Cape Girardeau has received a $53,481 federal grant to help fund the subsidized taxi program for the 1984-1985 fiscal year; the city will provide $46,760 to the project, with the remaining roughly $73,000 provided by the $1 per coupon fee charged to users of the system.

The Cape Girardeau Police Department and the Southeast Missourian are launching a cooperative effort to combat crime in the community; "Crime Watch" will feature special coverage of selected crimes in the hope that people with useful information will contact authorities.

50 years ago: April 30, 1959

Organization of the Cape Girardeau Civic Center, a focal point for the rehabilitation of the Smelterville area, was initiated last night by representatives of numerous community organizations; the not-for-profit organization will work to establish a community building and recreation center in the suburb.

At the conclusion of the Civic Center meeting, Mayor Walter H. Ford indicates that prospects for a federal housing project for Cape Girardeau's low-income families are encouraging; help for Smelterville residents has been linked to better housing and a community center for the area.

75 years ago: April 30, 1934

The Cape Girardeau City Council has made two more appointments; L.H. Butler, who was an unsuccessful candidate for city commissioner, has been named city assessor, and John Walter has been appointed city engineer.

C.J. Haman announces he has sold his shoe store at 622 Broadway to Treiman & Huffman of St. Louis; Haman, after 42 years in the shoe business, expects to retire in an effort to regain his health.

100 years ago: April 30, 1909

Aldermen Alex Vasterling and Joe Wilson, accompanied by Allen Kimmel, went to St. Louis a few days ago to buy a team of horses for the Cape Girardeau Fire Department; they succeeded yesterday, and the chargers will be down on the boat tomorrow morning.

Mrs. Margaretha Frommann Thilenius, wife of Col. G.C. Thilenius, died yesterday at age 80; she is survived by her husband and four children.

-- Sharon K. Sanders