Out of the past 6/16/08

25 years ago: June 16, 1983

Missouri Gov. Kit Bond, speaking at a news conference at the Cape Girardeau Municipal Airport, leaves doubt he will sign the $3.5 million appropriation bill passed by the Missouri General Assembly yesterday to help finance construction of a multipurpose building here.

The Cape Girardeau City Council last night authorized an investigation of the feasibility of a special business district in downtown Cape Girardeau; in addition to imposing a special tax levy and increasing business licenses by up to 50 percent, the district also may vote on the issuance of general obligation bonds.

50 years ago: June 16, 1958

Rain over the weekend in Cape Girardeau amounted to 2.65 inches, most of it coming in two downpours; total precipitation for the week amounted to 8.93 inches; meanwhile, the Mississippi River at Cape Girardeau rose 4 feet over the weekend to a stage of 22.9 feet this morning.

The Cape Girardeau City Council passes an ordinance prohibiting political candidates and others from placing their placards on the city's telephone and utility poles.

75 years ago: June 16, 1933

A dozen children had a miraculous escape from serious injury Wednesday when the floor in an old barn collapsed at the home of Jackson Alderman and Mrs. G.M. Cobble at the corner of First South Street and Daisy Avenue.

John A. Ferguson, a lawyer and deputy clerk of federal court at Cape Girardeau, is appointed special deputy commissioner to continue liquidation of the closed Sturdivant Bank; he succeeds Rush H. Limbaugh and J. Grant Frye as liquidating agents.

100 years ago: June 16, 1908

Last evening at 9:30, Vivian Johnson was fired upon by an assassin who stood at a half-open window of St. James AME Church on North Street; the girl isn't expected to live, the ball having struck her in the head; authorities are searching for the culprit.

The river continues its ascent at Cape Girardeau, with predictions it will reach the 34-foot mark later today; last evening, the water reached the railroad track in front of the old barrel house, the lowest point along the levee.

— Sharon K. Sanders