Out of the past 6/4/05

25 years ago: June 4, 1980

In an interview with The Southeast Missourian newspaper, U.S. Rep. Bill D. Burlison defends his allegiance to national Democratic Party leadership as helping him become a more effective congressman, but denies that those ties brand him as a liberal; the interview also touches on a check he received from Letha Hence.

The first bus has yet to roll on Cape Girardeau streets as part of the city's proposed public transit system, but already the fares are being increased; the city council last night approved raising the fare schedule of the bus system from 25 cents for a one-way fare to 50 cents, with a 15-cent discount for students and senior citizens.

50 years ago: June 4, 1955

Only one definite case of tuberculosis was discovered in the total of 10,914 people X-rayed in Cape Girardeau County last winter in the chest X-ray survey sponsored by the Cape County Tuberculosis Association, according to a summary report received from the state Division of Health.

The most intensive Civil Defense exercise since the city was blacked out in World War II will be held as a test for the expanding Cape Girardeau Civil Defense organization June 15 and 16 as its part of "Operation Alert 1955," the nationwide CD test exercise.

75 years ago: June 4, 1930

Additional protest against the proposed location of an oil filing station on a lot adjoining Broadway School is sounded; Albert M. Spradling, president of the school board, which has adopted a resolution opposing the building of the station near the school, declares he is firm in his decision to institute court proceedings, if necessary, to prevent the station's construction.

County agent T.M. Keyser notifies the county court that his services as agricultural extension agent in Cape Girardeau County will terminate next month; he will take up work with the DuPont Powder Co. as the firm's representative in this county; Keyser was county agent seven years.

100 years ago: June 4, 1905

The Rev. E.J. Stewart conducts services at the Christian Church; as this is the first service that has been held in the church for some time, a large congregation attends.

The annual basket meeting is held at Mount Tabor Church, four miles out on the Bloomfield Road; the Rev. J.B. Game of St. Louis, preaches in the morning, after which holy communion is administered; another sermon follows in the afternoon; hacks transport Cape Girardeau people to the meeting.

-- Sharon K. Sanders