Out of the past 5/2/09

25 years ago: May 2, 1984

A proposal before the Cape Girardeau City Council to lease a 90-acre site along Highway 177 north of here as a landfill is unearthing strong opposition from area residents and Nell Holcomb School District officials.

Fire in a metal storage warehouse containing ground polyvinyl chloride plastic prompts authorities to evacuate homes and businesses in a large area of west central Cape Girardeau during the night because of a threat of toxic gas emission; the three-alarm fire occurred at the Blair Industries Inc. warehouse at 24 Sheridan Drive.

50 years ago: May 2, 1959

Dr. Arthur L. Fuerth, a surgeon and general practitioner in Cape Girardeau for 37 years and head of the surgical department at Saint Francis Hospital for 20 years, dies at age 65.

Notice to proceed with construction of an administration building as part of the municipal airport improvement program is expected to be given contractors Monday; contracts were signed yesterday, after the Federal Aviation Agency regional office in Kansas City had approved changes.

75 years ago: May 2, 1934

Paving on Highway 25 in the Cape Girardeau district is extremely unlikely this season; the 17-mile stretch from Jackson north to the Perry County line isn't to be concreted this year, due to a lack of money.

In the new home of the Capahas on U.S. 61, home-run hitters will have their day this season; from home plate to the base of both right and left field fence, the distance is 325 feet, according to Caps manager Bill Sullivan; the center field fence is 355 feet away.

100 years ago: May 2, 1909

After being without a regular minister for several months, Christ Episcopal Church welcomes its new rector, the Rev. John V. Plunkett.

A committee appointed by the mayor recently spent two days in St. Louis examining the various types of street paving in use there; of the types studied -- brick, asphalt, bithulithic and creosote wooden blocks -- the latter comes with the highest recommendation; while brick paving is the cheapest to install, creosote wooden blocks are durable, are easily cleaned, and make a smooth and showy surface.

-- Sharon K. Sanders