Out of the past 5/10/05

25 years ago: May 10, 1980

A federal court jury in Cape Girardeau refused yesterday to award any money to a former Pemiscot County prisoner who became a quadriplegic as the result of a fall in the county jail in 1978; the jury deliberated about four hours before returning the verdict in favor of Pemiscot County Sheriff M.V. "Jack" Houser, several of his deputies, and the county itself.

Regional participants in the 31st International Science and Engineering Fair at St. Paul, Minn., return home after five days of science-related tours and programs.

50 years ago: May 10, 1955

A real, honest-to-goodness locomotive, equipped with bell and everything except the whistle, is going to join the play equipment at Capaha Park soon; Marquette Cement Mfg. Co. has donated the engine to the city for use in the park; the engine was used to haul freight and stone at the cement plant.

The question of reviving a proposal to build a new swimming pool in Cape Girardeau came before a meeting of the community development committee of the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce last night and, after surveying the situation, it was decided to ask other organizations to express their views on the subject.

75 years ago: May 10, 1930

Frisco Gulf Line passenger trains make their final runs to Cape Girardeau; a passenger train arrives from the south at 1:25 p.m. and departs at 1:45 p.m. in accordance with the Frisco's formal order to abandon passenger service to these lines, thus eliminating passenger train service to Commerce, Mo., Illmo, Benton, Mo., and Morley, Mo., and cutting out Cape Girardeau as the terminal.

Judge Frank Kelly files a petition in Common Pleas Court asking that the city council be compelled to show cause why the city hasn't corrected water overflow conditions on South Pacific Street, which were designated as "nuisances" in previous court rulings.

100 years ago: May 10, 1905

Members of the Bureau of Information will begin a complete canvass of Cape Girardeau, beginning tomorrow, to ascertain the number of visitors who can be accommodated during the big drummers meeting on May 25-27.

Alexander Schulte, who attended St. Vincent's School about 15 years ago and is remembered well by residents of this city, has arrived and will accept a position with the railroad.

-- Sharon K. Sanders