Out of the past 5/19/08

25 years ago: May 19, 1983

Increased state funding is an overriding need at Southeast Missouri State University, school officials tell State Sen. Norman L. Merrell during a meeting of the university's board of regents; Merrell questions university officials for about 30 minutes on various needs.

The Cape Girardeau City Council last night unanimously approved the final readings of an ordinance that more clearly defines the writing of bad checks as a violation of city law; in the past, bad check cases have been handled under the city's general stealing ordinance.

50 years ago: May 19, 1958

The Cape Girardeau City Council sets Aug. 5 as the date city residents will vote to expand the city limits; the vote will be held in conjunction with the statewide primary election.

It is announced that an agreement has been reached whereby sidewalks can be constructed on Minnesota Avenue near the new Jefferson School; Mayor Walter H. Ford says he has signed an agreement in which John Popp, owner of property on the east side of the street, agreed to give a quit-claim deed to a strip of property along the street.

75 years ago: May 19, 1933

The crest of the present rise in the Mississippi River at Cape Girardeau was reached yesterday at 34.4 feet.

Shelving is being installed in the Nussbaum Building, 729 Broadway, where two St. Louis young men will open a drugstore and fountain business; they are Harry Coopersmith and Max Blitstein; they have leased a fountain owned by the Schuh Drug Co. of Cairo, Ill., the equipment already being in the building.

100 years ago: May 19, 1908

Five bids for the contract to build Cape Girardeau's sewer system were opened and read last night by the city council; while a Chicago firm seems to have the low bid, the matter of awarding the contract was delayed until tonight.

William Brunke, a contractor, was seriously injured Saturday; he and his brother were digging a cistern for August Brands near his new residence northwest of Cape Girardeau; while standing beside the cistern, a bundle of shingles fell off the roof and struck him on the head; he was knocked senseless and nearly fell into the cistern.

-- Sharon K. Sanders