Out of the past 5/25/11

25 years ago: May 25, 1986

The congregation of Mount Auburn Christian Church holds a patriotic memorial service in the morning; it features patriotic music, with both congregational and special singing.

More than 42,000 people make up a human chain through Cape Girardeau County, the local effort in the nationwide "Hands Across America" fundraising effort; the line extends from the Perry County line to the Mississippi River bridge, with Illinois Sen. Paul Simon and Missouri state Rep. Mary Kasten joining hands at the Missouri-Illinois line.

Taking part in "Hands Across America," Missouri state Rep. Mary Kasten linked hands with Illinois Sen. Paul Simon at the Illinois-Missouri line on the Mississippi River bridge at Cape Girardeau on May 25, 1986. (Missourian archives - Fred Lynch)

50 years ago: May 25, 1961

The old Courthouse Park bandstand, where many of America's most famous personalities have appeared, is being refurbished; a crew under the supervision of J.W. Gerhardt begins placing a lattice design top on the pillars, which have remained since the original roof was removed several years ago as a hazard.

The story of Cape Girardeau in pictures is all but told as photographers here for the University of Missouri School of Journalism's photo workshop virtually complete their working assignments and await analysis of their labors.

75 years ago: May 25, 1936

WASHINGTON -- The Supreme Court wipes out the law enacted in 1934 to help cities, counties and other political subdivisions reduce their indebtedness through federal bankruptcy courts; petitions under terms of the act had been filed in federal court in Cape Girardeau in behalf of the Little River Drainage District and five other smaller drainage districts of Southeast Missouri.

A petition signed by 57 property owners is filed with the city clerk asking the city council to order the paving with amiesite of seven blocks of North Main Street, from Mason to Roberts streets.

100 years ago: May 25, 1911

H.E. Morie, a student of the Moothart Business College who has been working in the Western Union telegraph office here, leaves for Brookfield, Mo., where he will have management of the Western Union office for a month during the absence of the regular manager.

Mrs. Otto Kochtitzky and daughter Mary left yesterday for St. Louis, where the latter will join a party of four, headed by Helen Vandiver, for a vacation trip through Europe; they expect to return in the fall.

-- Sharon K. Sanders