Out of the past 5/23/05

25 years ago: May 23, 1980

A shoestring budget that leaves little hope for the future, coupled with roadblocks to obtaining federal grants, will likely force the Southeast Missouri Museum Inc. to close its doors next month.

One hundred and two seniors receive diplomas during commencement exercises at Notre Dame High School; valedictorian is Rebecca Westrich; salutatorians are Kathy Florich and Jim Knaup.

50 years ago: May 23, 1955

Clyde Baugh, 64, county magistrate in Cape Girardeau County, dies at his Jackson home of a heart attack; for 12 years, Baugh was justice of the peace and is the only person who has served as magistrate in the county; he is survived by his wife, the former Sadie Birch; three sons and a daughter.

The city council runs into the first snag in the summer street construction program when it fails to receive bids for the surfacing of Good Hope Street from Louisiana to Minnesota avenues with an asphalt surface.

75 years ago: May 23, 1930

Street decorations for the Lions Club Convention, which will begin Sunday with the arrival of a number of delegates from various parts of the state, are nearing completion with the business section streets attired in gay colors; the decorators yesterday completed the decoration of Houck Field House, where the banquet carnival and several meetings will be held; local merchants are sprucing up their places of business using the Lions' emblem and colors.

William J. Kies, associate judge of the county court, has filed as a candidate for the Republican nomination for presiding judge; he is a lumber dealer in Cape Girardeau.

100 years ago: May 23, 1905

The intersociety contest in oratory for the Regents' Medal at the Normal School last night resulted in a victory for the Websters; Henry Davis won the first prize; Bessie Hunt, representing the Sorosis Society, won second, and Joseph Hylton, representing the Bentons, won third.

The decoration committee for the big drummers meeting has a big force of men at work preparing the decorations; the whole town will be covered with Chinese lanterns of every pattern, strung on miles of rope; red and green bunting will hang everywhere; a beautiful arch may be erected at the foot of the courthouse steps, and the grounds will contain more than 1,000 lanterns; Cape Girardeau will be ablaze with light Thursday and Friday nights.

-- Sharon K. Sanders