Out of the past 6/6/11

25 years ago: June 6, 1986

Douglas Wayne Thompson, thrice convicted of slaying a Cape Girardeau auxiliary policeman in 1961, has filed another civil rights action in U.S. District Court against the Scott County judge who last sentenced him; Thompson is seeking $1 million in damages from Judge Anthony Heckemeyer, who sentenced Thompson to a life term.

The annual Cobblestone Award and Big Wheel awards are presented as part of the Chamber of Commerce First Friday Coffee; Russell Fowler is given the Cobblestone Award; Big Wheel recipients are Larry Essner and Jim Robison.

50 years ago: June 6, 1961

An exhibition of paintings and drawings by William Nelson Poinsett will open at the Cape Girardeau Public Library with a reception Sunday afternoon; he has just completed his second year at Washington University's School of Fine Arts in St. Louis.

Officers with the Cape Girardeau Police Department open their new gun range on the south side of the city; the spot was developed by the Marquette Cement Co. on company property.

75 years ago: June 6, 1936

Burglars used an acetylene torch to cut a hole through the outer vault door of the First State Bank of Fornfelt overnight but they failed to get through the inner door and into the vault itself, where only $15 in currency was being held.

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Ten students of St. Mary's Seminary are ordained to the priesthood: Myles P. Moynihun, Robert L. Corcoran, Gerald M. Mullen, Daniel E. Kane, John J. Battle, Leo T. Fox, William T. Mahoney, Lawrence F. Zoeller, Jules G. Yallaly and George L. Yager.

100 years ago: June 6, 1911

Nick LaCroix has notified municipal officials that he would like to lease the city property in Happy Hollow near Merriwether and Lorimier streets and build a natatorium there for the benefit of the people of Cape Girardeau during the hot months; he would take advantage of the large spring that sends out clear, cold water in the hollow.

Maude Montgomery has been elected instructor in modern languages at the Normal School for next year; she has been the president of Elmwood Seminary during the past two years.

-- Sharon K. Sanders