Out of the past 4/8/11

25 years ago: April 8, 1986

Kevin Sawyer, who lost his race for Jackson Ward 2 alderman to incumbent Don Cook by one vote in last week's election, has filed for a recount of the votes in circuit court.

Four-year school board veteran Catherine Otto is elected president of the Cape Girardeau public schools governing body during an organizational meeting; oaths of office are administered to Otto and James F. Hirsch, winners in last week's election.

50 years ago: April 8, 1961

Thieves with a scientific bent stole nearly $1,000 worth of equipment from the Biology Department in Magill Hall on the State College campus; items missing include four microscopes, six microscopic lenses, an expedition-type telescopic alidade and a sextant.

Bill Reiker was installed as commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3838 last night at the post home on North Kingshighway by the state vice commander, Calvin Vogelsang; Reiker's wife, Carma Reiker, was elected to head the VFW Auxiliary.

75 years ago: April 8, 1936

Cape Girardeau has a new mayor; voters yesterday elected County Judge Charles G. Wilson to head the city government for the next two years; he defeated Mayor Edward L. Drum, who was seeking his fourth term in office; elected city commissioners were Philip H. Steck, Lewis H. Butler and H.L. Coffman.

John Frenzel, 73, operator of a tin shop in Cape Girardeau for 52 years, dies in the morning at Southeast Missouri Hospital.

100 years ago: April 8, 1911

The statue that has stood at the west entrance to Courthouse Park all winter, protected from the elements by heavy wrappings, will be unveiled May 30, Decoration Day, according to the Women's Relief Corps; the monument was funded through the labors of these women and will honor the Hero Dead of the Civil War.

Vincent Dunker, for 10 years an artist photographer at Ste. Genevieve, Mo., has opened a studio at 203 Broadway, in the Grissom building.

-- Sharon K. Sanders