Out of the past 5/16/06

25 years ago: May 16, 1981

An unanticipated seam of mud or clay within the rock layers of the Marquette Cement Co. quarry blew rocks farther than had been expected when 300 tons of dynamite was detonated Friday, destroying a building that housed control devices for the plant's primary rock crusher; the damage likely will delay for two or three weeks operation of the new plant which has been running about a month.

Construction has been completed and stocking of merchandise is about 80 percent finished at the new J.C. Penney Co. store in West Park Mall, according to store manager Harry E. Rediger; the business will open June 2.

50 years ago: May 16, 1956

An avalanche of voters in favor of the proposition gave an 18 to 1 majority to a $425,000 bond issue for a new Cape Girardeau elementary school and repairs to existing buildings at yesterday's special election.

A $200,000 building fund campaign to expand facilities of the Cape Osteopathic Hospital is launched with the establishment of campaign headquarters in the old First National Bank building, 117 N. Main St.; the present hospital at 105 S. Spanish St. has been in operation since April 24, 1949.

75 years ago: May 16, 1931

There are 4,822 children in Cape Girardeau between the ages of 6 and 20, who are eligible for enrollment in the public schools, the annual school enumeration shows; this is an increase of 166 over last year's count; of that number, there are 2,298 white girls, 2,257 white boys, 144 black girls and 123 black boys.

Cape Girardeau County's first farm-to-market road is done and is being inspected by the State Highway Department; this new gravel road runs five miles westward toward Whitewater from Dutchtown.

100 years ago: May 16, 1906

Twin girls have arrived to gladden the hearts of August Kempe and his wife.

About half the members of the Cape Girardeau Commercial Club are present at a smoker that follows the talk given by Thomas L. Cannon at the Common Pleas Courthouse; it is much too late to transact any business, and so special attention is given the refreshments; those include all kinds of sandwiches, frog legs, relishes and several brands of liquid refreshments.

-- Sharon K. Sanders