Out of the past 5/9/08

25 years ago: May 9, 1983

More sunny skies and warming temperatures are expected today for hundreds of Eastern Missourians hoping to begin the arduous task of cleanup following last week's flooding; scattered thunderstorms Saturday did little to slow the rapid decline of water on the bulging Mississippi River.

A private collection of William Faulkner materials, numbering more than 3,000 items, will soon be placed in the Rare Book Room of Kent Library on Southeast Missouri State University campus; the collection is the property of Daniel Brodsky of Farmington, Mo.

50 years ago: May 9, 1958

Common Pleas Court Judge Robert G. Brady holds that the proposed extension of Cape Girardeau's city limits is "reasonable and necessary"; his ruling paves the way for the city council to submit the proposed annexation to voters.

The Golden Eagles, Cape State College's newly named band, returns from a tour of high schools in the area; the group played at Caruthersville, Mo., Kennett, Mo., and Hayti, Mo.; next Monday, the band will play a concert for the student body and will introduce the new "Fight Song," with words written by two college students, Margaret Ann Coates and John M. Lawrence.

75 years ago: May 9, 1933

With the sale of $42,000 Illmo city bonds to the Reconstruction Finance Corp., completed, grading work begins for the town's deep well and water distribution system; the main contract for the distribution system has been let to H.A. Grabbe Construction Co. of Alton, Ill.

Mrs. W.D. Ely has assumed charge of Valet Cleaners, a cleaning and pressing establishment at 811 Broadway.

100 years ago: May 9, 1908

The big Normal School auditorium was crowded last night for the third annual contest in essay and oration for the Oliver prizes; Christiana Hyatt took first prize in the essay contest, while Ferd Courleux was proclaimed the winner of the oration competition.

For the second time, the Charleston, Mo., high school track team wins the annual athletic meet of the Southeast Missouri Athletic and Oratorical Association; Jackson, stronger than was expected, takes second place.

— Sharon K. Sanders