Out of the past 5/20/05

25 years ago: May 20, 1980

A spectacular sunset and perhaps some late afternoon haze will be the only souvenirs the Cape Girardeau area will get from Sunday's eruption of Mount St. Helens; a cloud of volcanic ash from the Washington site moves across Kansas and enters Missouri early in the morning, but National Weather Service experts say they expect it to cause no health hazards.

A new director for the Safe House and Women's Center of Southeast Missouri, Joe M. Mathews, has been hired by the Safe House board to oversee the center, and work in the areas of fund raising, grant writing and public relations.

50 years ago: May 20, 1955

The aristocracy of dogdom, ranging from popular breeds to those little known outside the exhibit ring, perform for two judges in competition at the Arena Building; that will lead tonight to the crowning of the animal judged "best in show" in the Southeast Missouri Kennel Club's second annual dog show.

With advance out-of-town reservations of more than 200, an attendance of from 350 to 400 is expected at the annual Missouri convention of the Daughters of Isabella which opens this evening and will continue through Sunday.

75 years ago: May 20, 1930

The population of Cape Girardeau County, as shown in the 1930 enumeration for the decennial census, is 33,104, figures announced by Carl F. Bloker, district supervisor, show; this is an increase of 3,265 over the population of 1920.

The Continental Oil Co. has made application to the city for a permit to construct an oil filling station on a vacant lot adjoining the Broadway grade school on the east; city engineer E.L. Sailer, who is empowered to issue permits for new construction, says he has refused to authorize construction of the station because it violates two city ordinances, one governing the location of such buildings and the other the zoning act.

100 years ago: May 20, 1905

The department encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic closed Thursday after a successful meeting; among the delegates elected to attend the national encampment was H.A. Astholz of Cape Girardeau.

Charles Bueltemann, the well-known plasterer, injured his hand several weeks ago, which resulted in blood poisoning; he has suffered terribly, but is now recovering rapidly.

-- Sharon K. Sanders