Out of the past 5/2/08

25 years ago: May 2, 1983

A record 46-foot crest of the Mississippi River at Cape Girardeau is predicted for next Sunday, marking the third flood to hit this area since December, and potentially the worst; continued heavy rains in the area have caused an already-swollen river to rise again.

Jackson contractor Robert Strack is sworn in as representative of Ward 1 on the Jackson Board of Aldermen; he replaces Robert Adams, who served three terms on the board.

50 years ago: May 2, 1958

Common Pleas Court, its history, jurisdiction and relationship to the Circuit Court, becomes a prime subject of discussion as the Joint Legislative Committee on Redistricting of Judicial Circuits began a day of testimony; the committee is investigating the work loads of the 27th, 28th, 22nd, 23rd and 38th judicial circuits.

Heavy rains cover the county in the evening, and in Cape Girardeau it is measured at 2.15 inches.

75 years ago: May 2, 1933

Cape Girardeau police officers put teeth in the enforcement of collection of fines imposed during April, collecting $201.40 of the $269.50 in fines assessed; the improved collection is a result of giving the city prisoners the alternative of paying in cash or working out the fines.

A near-cloudburst, driven by a wind of near-hurricane velocity, swept Cape Girardeau last night, causing some damage to property; streets were flooded, automobile and streetcar traffic was delayed, and basements along Broadway were flooded, the sewer being far inadequate to drain away the floodwater.

100 years ago: May 2, 1908

At the April election, a proposition passed in the Brick School District to increase the school rate to finance construction of a new schoolhouse; however, it was soon learned that as no certain amount had been specified, the election wasn't valid; Thursday, a bond issue for $1,500 was defeated by a vote of 20 against, 15 for.

S.D. MacFarland arrived yesterday from St. Louis to relieve H.L. Nunn as superintendent of the Roberts, Johnson & Rand Shoe factory; Nunn has been in poor health for some time and has secured a leave of absence for the summer; he will leave next week for Colorado.

— Sharon K. Sanders