Out of the past 6/8/06

25 years ago: June 8, 1981

Some Cape Girardeau homes and businesses experience a brief power outage in the morning, when a tractor-trailer overturns on South Kingshighway, striking a utility pole near the Highway 74 intersection; the driver, Alex James, 26, of Cape Girardeau isn't seriously injured.

Cape Girardeau County authorities were working on ways to improve security at the Jackson jail in light of Thursday's escape of three inmates from the facility; Sheriff Herman "Bob" Gribler says he hopes to announce recommendations for improved security later in the week.

50 years ago: June 8, 1956

The Senate committee on government operations has approved a formal resolution providing for the transfer of the Common Pleas Courthouse and the site it occupies back to the people of Cape Girardeau.

Prosecuting Attorney Stephen N. Limbaugh asks Circuit Judge Marshall Craig to call a grand jury to further investigate the mysterious slaying two years ago of Bonnie Huffman, a Cape Girardeau County rural school teacher, after a farmer near Delta was questioned Thursday in connection with the case.

75 years ago: June 8, 1931

Retail sales in Cape Girardeau during 1929, amounting to $8,527,425, averaged $525.51 per capita, according to figures of the Bureau of Census based on the 1930 census returns; in this respect, Cape Girardeau ranked eighth in the state.

Mrs. D.H. Hope and Regina LeGrand of Benton, Mo., attended the ordination of the latter's brother, the Rev. Thomas LeGrand, at Belleville, Ill., over the weekend; he will celebrate his first Mass tomorrow at Benton.

100 years ago: June 8, 1906

A farmer named Clarence Roy, living this side of Perryville, Mo., yesterday got the sheriff of Perry County and tore up about 300 feet of the Cape Girardeau & Chester Railroad's tracks, which crossed his farm; according to a representative of the Houck road, Roy got a judgment against the railroad through the inattention of an attorney, and before the matter could be adjusted, the tracks were torn up.

John Robert, who fell from a cherry tree recently at his home on South Sprigg Street, is getting better, although he feels the effects of his drop.

-- Sharon K. Sanders