Out of the past 6/8/12

25 years ago: June 8, 1987

About 3,000 Southeast Missouri residents have been sent a 14-question survey concerning the SEMO District Fair; it's meant to gauge the fair-going habits and interests of area residents.

A citizens utility committee is considering recommending a city takeover of the electric system here, but not Union Electric's gas and water systems; the tentative recommendation is contained in a memorandum drafted by committee chairman Peter Bergerson and committee member Jim Trickey.

50 years ago: June 8, 1962

Cape Girardeau's airport won't be improved under a new national airport program, although it is one of many in the state recommended for work by the Federal Aviation Agency; Rush H. Limbaugh Jr., secretary of the city airport board, says such a program would require matching funds, money the board doesn't have.

The Cape Choraliers' trip to the World's Fair in Seattle becomes a certainty in the morning, when the key men in the fundraising campaign total up the contributions; Wayne Rust, who spearheaded the Kiwanis Club committee assisting the Choraliers, announces that $6,527.61 of the $7,500 goal has been subscribed.

75 years ago: June 8, 1937

A petition containing 61 signatures, representing 87 lots in the Red Star suburb, has been filed with the city opposing municipal plans for a sewer system in that area.

Fritz "Legs" Lottes, who is here from Black Mountain, Calif., for a visit, shows The Missourian some mammoth, 14-inch oyster shells, which he collected at South Bend, Wash., last year when he worked as an oyster harvester; Lottes is now a bean farmer in California.

100 years ago: June 8, 1912

At a joint meeting last night of the Jackson and Cape Girardeau commercial clubs, an enthusiastic discussion was held concerning the securing of an expert to supervise agricultural activities in the county; a resolution was passed endorsing the plan for an experiment station and agriculture supervisor, which will be submitted to the County Court.

The Moss Tie Co. has finished loading cross ties on the Cape Girardeau & Chester Railroad, having taken out 30 car loads this week.

-- Sharon K. Sanders