Out of the past 5/27/11

25 years ago: May 27, 1986

James Varner Parker, director of Southeast Missouri State University Museum, unveils the design for a downtown mural that will be painted on the John Jones building overlooking a parking lot at Water and Themis streets.

Dr. Frank A. Wiley, superintendent of the Jackson School District, calls for an increase in the district's operating levy in a report on a proposed 1986-1987 budget he terms "meager."

Pictured are some of those seated at speakers' table when State Sen. Albert M. Spradling of Cape Girardeau was honored at a dinner given by his friends May 27, 1961. From the left are Cong. Paul C. Jones, Gov. John M. Dalton, U.S. Sen. Edward V. Long, Mrs. Spradling, Sen. Spradling and Judge Robert G. Brady. (Missourian archives photo by G.D. "Frony" Fronabarger)

50 years ago: May 27, 1961

Friends and associates of Sen. Albert M. Spradling Jr., president pro tem of the state's upper governing body, gather in the evening for a dinner in his honor in Memorial Hall on the State College campus; among dignitaries present are Gov. John M. Dalton, Sen. Edward V. Long and S.P. Dalton, judge of the Missouri Supreme Court.

The World's International Kart Association Inc. is constructing a $150,000 Go-Kart track on a 35-acre tract east of the Naval Reserve hangar at the Cape Girardeau Municipal Airport and parallel to U.S. 61.

75 years ago: May 27, 1936

By a vote of 40 to 0 yesterday, residents of Pocahontas at a special election approved a proposal to grant a 20-year franchise to the Missouri General Utilities Co. to furnish electric power and light to the town; a line will be constructed to the community from Altenburg, Mo.

In order to assure a sidewalk-building program in Jackson under the Works Progress Administration, property owners will be asked to contribute in amounts equal to the cost of materials; it is proposed to build 11 miles of walk, with the WPA supplying the labor.

100 years ago: May 27, 1911

A large audience attended the graduating exercises of Lincoln School in the Common Pleas courtroom last night; graduates are: Claudius H. Young, Flora G. Williams, Isaac H. White, Addie F. Oliver, Mary L. Brown, Flora G.E. Farrar, Ruth P. Wiley, James O. Young and Allie M. Young.

Commencement exercises for the Jackson High School class of eight is set for June 5; members of the class are Ethel McLain, Bertha Henderson, Martha Cramer, Oma Schade, Clyde Mabrey, Harry Cracraft, Bruce Baker and Thomas Boone.

-- Sharon K. Sanders