Out of the past 5/8/09

25 years ago: May 8, 1984

Construction could begin within a month on a $70,000 addition to the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce building now that the organization's board of directors has approved design plans; the next step will be the development of working drawings and the taking of bids, a process which could take about a week.

The Cape Girardeau United Way and the Jackson Community Chest have decided to merge, with the new group's first fundraising drive scheduled to be conducted this fall, says Donald R. Rugraff, chairman of the merger committee; a new name for the charity fund-raising group has not been chosen.

50 years ago: May 8, 1959

Six Cape Girardeau men plan to establish a bank, possibly in the west half of the city, in a move separate from another of recent weeks; they have applied for a charter; listed to be the first directors of the proposed Bank of Cape Girardeau are Jack O. Knehans, J. Hugh Logan, Harold W. Locke, Charles A. Hood, Paul R. Williams and Paul Miles.

The Missouri Division of the Travelers Protective Association opens a two-day convention in Cape Girardeau with a registration of 168 delegates, including 58 wives of members; a welcome to the visitors is extended at the opening session at Hotel Marquette by Mayor Walter H. Ford.

75 years ago: May 8, 1934

Hundreds of Cape Girardeau women, as well as many from other area towns, attend the opening session of The Missourian's eighth annual cooking school at the Fox Broadway Theater; demonstrating recipes is Edna Ferguson.

Homegrown strawberries are now on the market, and they are of fine quality; the retail price is around 15 cents a quart.

100 years ago: May 8, 1909

An informal meeting of the Cape Girardeau City Council was held last night to confer with Henry Rohwer, the consulting engineer, concerning street paving; by the next meeting, the councilmen will decide whether the city will secure his services.

William Medley receives a new cab on the steamer Ferd Herold in the morning; it shines like a brand-new piano; he will now meet the trains in style.

-- Sharon K. Sanders