Out of the past 5/6/06

25 years ago: May 6, 1981

The U.S. Census Bureau, heeding the protests of Cape Girardeau city officials who claimed the city was victim of an inaccurate count last spring, took another look at the city and found 43 more people; according to figures received through the Southeast Missouri Regional Planning and Economic Development Commission, the Census Bureau's final 1980 population count for Cape Girardeau stands at 34,361.

Repairs to the Lake Hollenbeck dam west of Cape Girardeau and the Lake Potashnick dam near Greenville are expected to be made this summer as a result of an Army Corps of Engineers study that found deficiencies in both structures.

50 years ago: May 6, 1956

Rusty D. Razor, last of the descendants of Straight Razor, was put to rest with appropriate public mourning yesterday by the Brothers of the Brush; but scarcely had the services been completed and the funeral crowds disbanded than there is a dastardly, but unsuccessful, attempt to remove Rusty from his burial place in the parkway at Main and Independence streets.

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- Residents of the Marble Hill School District will have an opportunity to vote in a special election Tuesday on the proposed annexation of the Marble Hill district to the Lutesville School District.

75 years ago: May 6, 1931

Olaf E. Robinson, captain of the 1930 football team of the University of Illinois and generally recognized as one of the greatest fullbacks produced by Coach Bob Zupke, signs a contract to coach athletics at Cape Girardeau Central High School next season; he will succeed Louis Muegge, the successful Bengal leader during the past three years, who resigned several weeks ago to accept a coaching job at Steelton, Pa.

Dr. John J. Schneider of Cape Girardeau is chosen commander of the Missouri Sons of Union Veterans at Joplin, Mo.

100 years ago: May 6, 1906

Bertha Bowers, an exponent of temperance, makes a return trip to Cape Girardeau; she speaks at the Baptist church in the afternoon and the Methodist church in the evening; on previous appearances in Cape Girardeau, she was heard by large audiences.

The three-month disappearance of Mrs. Herman Beiderwieden was cleared up yesterday, when her body was taken from the Mississippi River.

-- Sharon K. Sanders