Out of the past 5/26/09

25 years ago: May 26, 1984

The Ad Hoc Committee of the Greater Downtown Merchants Association and interested riverfront area property owners suggest locating Cape Girardeau's multipurpose building on a 58.8-acre site that includes the old Florsheim Shoe factory property.

Cape County Bank moved into its new home at 145 S. Mount Auburn Road this week, leaving its temporary quarters.

50 years ago: May 26, 1959

Russell L. Dearmont, president of the Missouri Pacific Railroad and formerly a member of the State College Board of Regents, was presented with the Alumni Association Merit Award at the college commencement ceremonies yesterday.

The Cape Girardeau City Council has approved automatic traffic signals to control the flow of vehicles and pedestrians on Broadway at the Fountain Street and Lorimier Street intersections; Police Commissioner John L. Weiser estimates the cost at $4,000.

75 years ago: May 26, 1934

Allan H. Hinchey, director of publicity for Southeast Missouri Teachers College, was found dead in his room at the Idan-Ha Hotel yesterday morning; he came to Cape Girardeau in 1907 as superintendent of the Houck Railroad lines; the following year he took a position with The Daily Republican, remaining as city editor until 1913.

A 1933 Chevrolet sedan stolen from near the home of Mr. and Mrs. Hammonds, 119A N. Ellis St., was recovered yesterday from the woods west of the Shady Grove barbecue stand on South Sprigg Street; police believe it may have been used to haul contraband liquor.

100 years ago: May 26, 1909

W.R. Buckmaster, superintendent, and E.F. Pannell, route agent for the Pacific Express Co., are in Cape Girardeau installing an office here; the place selected is on Independence Street, next to the City Drug Store.

The new fire horses are harnessed up for the first time in the morning; a representative of the Fred Wagner & Son Co., maker of the fire wagon recently purchased by the city, is here to demonstrate how the machine works; no run is made, as it is thought best to defer this until the horses have been trained.

-- Sharon K. Sanders