Out of the past 6/20/09

25 years ago: June 20, 1984

Forty employees are working during the summer to keep Cape Girardeau's parks pleasant; during the offseason, only about 18 workers are needed; among chores being done this summer is the replacing of a section of drain pipe that will allow water to drain from the Capaha Park swimming pool pump house to the lagoon.

State Rep. Fred E. "Gene" Copeland of New Madrid, Mo., who assisted in obtaining state funding for the Cape Girardeau multipurpose building, says the $13 million facility should be near Interstate 55.

50 years ago: June 20, 1959

Cape Girardeau County Democrats, in one of the party's largest rallies in many years, endorses Sen. Stuart Symington for the presidency and becomes the first county in Missouri to pledge its delegates to the state convention in his behalf; more than 400 party members assemble at the farm home of Elmer Schaper on Highway 25 near Jackson for a barbecue chicken supper and a program of partisan political activity.

A fireworks stand is set up in Capaha Park under operation of the Jaycees; it is the first time observers can recall that a city park is used as the site for a merchandising activity.

75 years ago: June 20, 1934

Five young St. Louis men, who are traveling down the Mississippi River to New Orleans in two skiffs, leave Cape Girardeau shortly before noon after spending 24 hours here as guests of Mrs. J.W. Summers; her son, Dale Summers, made a similar trip two years ago with one of the youths, Leo Newman.

The third weekly concert of the Cape Girardeau Municipal Band is given in the evening on the St. Vincent's Catholic Church grounds on South Spanish Street.

100 years ago: June 20, 1909

Mr. and Mrs. John E. Conzelman of St. Louis arrived yesterday to spend the weekend with Mr. and Mrs. George S. Hanford of South Lorimier Street; Mrs. Conzelman will extend her stay to visit with her aunt, Mrs. Haupt.

Playing baseball after a hard shower, the Capahas defeat the Athletics 9-2 to lay claim to city diamond supremacy; prior to the main event, the Brewery Workers trim the Bartenders 7-6 in a four-inning slugfest.

-- Sharon K. Sanders