Out of the past 5/25/07

25 years ago: May 25, 1982

In an attempt to conserve energy and save money this summer, Dr. Bill W. Stacy, president of Southeast Missouri State University, is proposing several modifications in the school's operation, including a cutback to four-day work weeks during June and July.

Cape Girardeau County Sheriff Herman "Bob" Gribler has to be thinking about putting out a "no vacancy" sign at the county jail in Jackson; the jail has been housing an average of 60 prisoners lately, which is about capacity for the 30-year-old facility.

50 years ago: May 25, 1957

Another rainfall in the morning rapidly fills area swollen creeks and streams; the 79/100ths of an inch of rain advances May's total to date to 12.22 inches in Cape Girardeau, 69/100ths of an inch greater than any previously recorded amount for the month.

E.H. Scarlett announces that Gately's Department Store, now at 19 N. Main St. in Cape Girardeau, will move to the Carroll Building, at Main and Independence streets, at the completion of extensive remodeling; the building is owned by Mrs. Marie C. Kennedy of St. Louis and her sister, Mrs. Helen C. Newport of Houston, Texas.

75 years ago: May 25, 1932

The second consignment of flour to be given away to the needy in Cape Girardeau has been ordered from the mill at Jackson and will be brought here in a couple days, according to Adjutant William Kelly of the Salvation Army.

A section of new sidewalk is constructed in front of the Harris Motor Co., 232 Broadway in Cape Girardeau, to take the place of a drive into the building; the interior of the west side of the motor company building is being remodeled, and the drive from the street is being closed.

100 years ago: May 25, 1907

A cornerstone-laying service will be held at the corner of Bellevue and Ellis streets in Cape Girardeau Monday afternoon for the Methodist church; the Rev. Lincoln McConnell, the evangelist who is conducting the tabernacle meetings, will make the main address.

Henry Huhn, the expert painter, is being kept busy; the Meyer Bros.' meat market in Cape Girardeau was decorated by Huhn, and it is one of the prettiest places in town.

-- Sharon K. Sanders