Out of the past 5/1/09

25 years ago: May 1, 1984

Groundbreaking on a $13 million multipurpose building here should occur at least by next spring now that the Missouri Legislature has approved first-phase financing for the project, says Cape Girardeau Mayor Howard C. Tooke; the legislature, in the final day of the session yesterday, approved the state bond package which includes $3.19 million to finance the first phase of the work on an approximately 7,000-seat civic arena.

Wal-Mart officials confirm they are considering constructing a new store on Silver Springs Road, just east of West Park Mall, to replace the current store at 211 S. Kingshighway.

50 years ago: May 1, 1959

Representatives of the Sears Roebuck Foundation, a not-for-profit organization set up to assist small communities to secure medical facilities, have met with representatives from the Illmo, Kelso, Mo., and Commerce, Mo., areas on the possibility of establishing a clinic in the area.

Emmett R. "Abe" Stuber, former State College football coach, has returned to Cape Girardeau to make his home and takes a position with the Riverside Lumber Co.

75 years ago: May 1, 1934

Under the new operating plan for the Missouri Utilities Co. and its kindred companies, Harry B. Newman, manager of the company at Cape Girardeau, will become manager of the entire holdings in Southeast Missouri.

To make Independence Street conform in width as far west as U.S. 61, the Cape Special Road District is widening the street from Clark Avenue to the highway; the necessary right of way either is owned by the district or is being donated by E.W. Flentge.

100 years ago: May 1, 1909

The announcement that the new horses for the Cape Girardeau Fire Department would arrive this morning on the steamer Grey Eagle draws a large crowd to the levee; the animals are heavily blanketed, preventing a good view of them, but enough can be seen to show that Alex Vasterling, Joe Wilson and Allen Kimmel selected fine steeds.

ADVANCE, Mo. -- Last night, a tornado coming from the southwest swept the north and northeast portions of this town off the map; more than 20 houses were wrecked.

-- Sharon K. Sanders