Out of the past 4/8/06

25 years ago: April 8, 1981

Mayor Carlton G. Meyer won re-election to a fifth term yesterday as all the incumbents in both Jackson city and school board elections were returned to office; Meyer, who two years ago narrowly defeated Jackson Alderman Thomas W. Schulte, did so again this time, but by a larger margin.

Cape Girardeau police chief Henry H. Gerecke, who at one time was a top candidate for appointment as supervisor of the Missouri Division of Liquor Control, says he would accept the appointment if it were offered; Gerecke is retiring as chief June 30.

50 years ago: April 8, 1956

The National Guard Association of Missouri, meeting in St. Louis, elects Col. Russell Boyt of Cape Girardeau as president; he is commanding officer of the 140th Infantry, Missouri National Guard, and has headquarters at the Arena Building.

The district drama contest and the first day of agriculture contests were conducted yesterday at State College; the final agriculture events will be concluded Wednesday; three schools -- Sikeston, Bragg City and Hayti, Mo. -- were certified for the state drama contests to be held at Columbia, Mo.

75 years ago: April 8, 1931

First steps looking toward the immediate construction of the new $235,000 water plant at Cape Rock and the modernizing of the street lighting system of Cape Girardeau are taken by the city council following an all-day conference yesterday with Missouri Utilities Co. officials; an ordinance giving the company the authority to change the location of the water plant from its current site is given its first reading; it was agreed yesterday that the company will proceed immediately with construction of the plant and rebuilding the lighting system without an election on the question of the franchise.

Voters yesterday placed Judge W.J. Kies back on the Cape Girardeau Board of Education; they also elected Bruce Baker to succeed Mrs. C.A. Vandivort.

100 years ago: April 8, 1906

The Rev. August Wilder, the new pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, preaches his first sermon in English at the evening service; Wilder was installed as pastor last Sunday by a large congregation.

Henry Machen, the popular assistant cashier at the Sturdivant Bank, having been granted a two-week leave of absence, leaves for the jungles of Arkansas.

-- Sharon K. Sanders