Out of the past 5/3/11

25 years ago: May 3, 1986

Robinson Construction Co. of Perryville, Mo., is the apparent low bidder on the Independence Street bridge project with a bid of $406,145.35, which is 6.5 percent above the engineer's estimate; the bridge project is part of an overall plan to widen Independence between Kingshighway and East Rodney Drive.

Dr. Linda Godwin, astronaut candidate with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and a graduate of Southeast Missouri State University, will be speaker for the university's spring commencement May 10 at Houck Stadium.

50 years ago: May 3, 1961

Almost one acre in every five used in Cape Girardeau County last year to raise corn has been taken out of production, and that number is expected to increase; as of yesterday, 548 farmers had signed to put land aside this year and are eligible for payments totaling about $395,606.

Rehearsals for the the Kiwanis Club Fabulous Follies of 1961 begin in the morning in a vacant store at 22 N. Spanish St.; cast members meet William Ledders of New York, who will direct the production.

75 years ago: May 3, 1936

An organ recital is presented in the evening at Trinity Lutheran Church by Bertram S. Webber of St. Louis, a musician with considerable background from study and service both in this country and Europe.

Climaxing a day of history-making for St. Vincent's Knights of Columbus Council 11111, members of the group, their wives and friends, and visiting Knights from other councils in Southeast Missouri, Southern Illinois and Western Kentucky gather at Houck Field House in the evening for a banquet to honor the charter members of the local chapter and to welcome new candidates.

100 years ago: May 3, 1911

Scott County Sheriff L.B. Gober, assisted by deputies R.M. Finley, J.H. Wilson and L.S. Brock, comes in on the Gulf train at noon with 10 prisoners bound for Jefferson City; all will serve two-year terms except one man, who will do three for highway robbery.

The work being done on Courthouse Park is first-class and the terraces are beginning to take on a beautiful appearance; the dumping ground at the southeast corner is being cleaned up also.

-- Sharon K. Sanders