Out of the past 4/4/09

25 years ago: April 4, 1984

David Barklage, a 22-year-old Southeast Missouri State University student, outdistanced the field in yesterday's Cape Girardeau municipal election to win a place on the city council; two incumbents, Peter Hilty and Curtis Smith, were re-elected to the council.

A spring thunderstorm rumbled through much of the area last night, dumping more than a fair share of April showers; high winds and hail accompanied the storm that struck shortly before election day polls closed.

50 years ago: April 4, 1959

Work has been completed on the hanging of 50 rose baskets along the main business routes in Cape Girardeau as part of a decorative program planned by the Retail Merchants Association.

Concrete paving of the main runway at the Cape Girardeau Municipal Airport was completed yesterday; the intersection connecting the new concrete with the asphaltic section with the south taxiway is to be torn up and paved with 9-inch concrete.

75 years ago: April 4, 1934

Voters yesterday elected Edward L. Drum to his third term as mayor of Cape Girardeau; three new commissioners were also selected: Frank Batchelor, Harry L. Coffman and Paul Brooks.

The desire for baseball has become so insistent among Jackson High School pupils that school officials reopen negotiations to become a member of a newly formed league, which includes high schools in Scott and Cape Girardeau counties.

100 years ago: April 4, 1909

Palm Sunday is observed and many churches in Cape Girardeau have special services; the rite of confirmation is performed at Trinity Lutheran Church; confirmed are Walter Vogelsang, Elmer Haman, Emil Hirsch, Oscar Kaiser, Hugo Wilder, William Polack, Oscar Bock, Lydia Brandes, Frieda Landgraf, Ottillie Koch, Dorena Kistner, Anna Koehrer, Louise Probst, Martha Schaefer and Dora Mennicke.

Charles Vinyard has purchased the old Baptist parsonage at Jackson; he will move it onto a lot he bought from Charles Macke.

-- Sharon K. Sanders