Out of the past 5/2/12

25 years ago: May 2, 1987

Grading and clearing work is underway on a tract of land south of Highway 74 and east of South Kingshighway; the total tract, on both sides of Highway 74, is 191 acres, and is being developed as an industrial park by 630 Inc.

People and places that make up Cape Girardeau will be captured on film next week, as photographers document "A Day in the Life of Cape Girardeau"; the photo essay, sponsored by the Southeast Missourian, will feature the town's best professional photographers highlighting the city; they will take pictures during a 24-hour period Thursday.

50 years ago: May 2, 1962

Petitions calling for a vote on the public housing issue are expected to be submitted to the city council late this week or early next, says Leonard Thomas, who is a leader in the petition drive; a renewed effort to acquire the necessary number of signatures has been underway in recent days.

Capt. Harry K. Neal of Cape Girardeau has been appointed executive officer of the newly organized State Officer Candidate School operated by the Missouri Army National Guard; the new program will be put into effect at summer field training of the 35th Division at Camp Ripley, Minn., the latter part of June.

75 years ago: May 2, 1937

The Rev. A.C. Van Puffein is installed as pastor of the Pleasant Hill Presbyterian Church near Fruitland in the afternoon; the minister, a native of Holland, has been in this country for several months and formerly was engaged in mission work in his country.

Dr. Neil Johnstone, an osteopath at Jackson for eight years, has opened an office in the Cofer Building, 636a Good Hope St., and will practice there in the future; he will move his family, consisting of his wife and son, Jimmy, to Cape Girardeau in the near future.

100 years ago: May 2, 1912

Dick Carroll sells his gasoline boat -- The R.C. -- to Frank Crews, who for the past year has had charge of it; Crews will probably make a passenger and transfer boat of it, and will run between Cape Girardeau and Thebes, Ill.

Julius E. Umbeck visits Cape Girardeau the first time in quite a while; although nearly 80 years old, he is in splendid health.

-- Sharon K. Sanders