Out of the past 5/4/09

25 years ago: May 4, 1984

The Cape Girardeau Multipurpose Building Committee recommends that the St. Louis architectural firm of Hastings and Civetta be hired to design a new civic arena for the community, now that the Missouri General Assembly has approved state funding for the facility.

An Army U-21 airplane en route from Fort Rucker, Ala., to Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., landed safely yesterday at the municipal airport after developing engine problems.

50 years ago: May 4, 1959

The Cape Girardeau City Council again discusses needed repairs to Independence Street; franchise provisions for the use of the street by the Missouri Pacific Railroad under a 58-year-old ordinance say the railroad is required to maintain the road from curb to curb.

The display of indecent magazines on news stands in town brings an order from the city council that an ordinance be drafted to bring them under control.

75 years ago: May 4, 1934

A lot 84 feet by 60 feet, adjacent on the east to his sunken garden, has been purchased by Charles F. Fluhrer, 380 N. Park Ave., from Elizabeth Davis and is being made into a flower garden; shrubs and flowers will surround a pergola, which will be built in the center.

For his opening game Sunday in the new ball field on U.S. 61, Capahas manager William Sullivan announces he will rely on all-home talent in taking on the Charleston, Mo., Cardinals; Tubby Koch and Terry Hunze will divide the hurling duties; game time will be 3 p.m., and admission will be 35 with the entrance to the park being on the Gordonville Road.

100 years ago: May 4, 1909

Property owners along Main Street, having proposed that the road be paved with wooden blocks from Broadway to Independence Street, are attempting to pressure the street car company into paying for the paving between and a foot on either side of the tracks; however, a spokesman for the company, insisting they won't stand in the way of progress, offers to pull the tracks from Main to allow property owners to have the whole road paved; Mayor M.E. Leming is attempting to find a compromise.

Fire wrecked 113 Water St. last night, and only the good work of the fire lads kept the whole block from being destroyed.

-- Sharon K. Sanders