Out of the past 7/11/07

25 years ago: July 11, 1982

The Cape County Nutrition Center announces the inauguration of a bus service for people 60 years old and older; the bus picks people up at their homes, takes them to appointments and brings them home safely.

Nell Holcomb School District gives notice to contractors and union officials that the Missouri National Guard plans to do excavation and other work at the school north of Cape Girardeau; anyone objecting to the plan must file written objections to the work.

50 years ago: July 11, 1957

An ordinance calling a special election Aug. 27 to vote on a $295,000 bond issue for improvements at the municipal airport is passed unanimously at a meeting of the Cape Girardeau City Council.

Farmers from over Cape Girardeau County came to Arena Park yesterday and today to get fish for their farm ponds; the fingerlings were brought here by Conservation Commission agents from the state hatchery at Indian Trails State Park, near Salem, Mo.

75 years ago: July 11, 1932

Dr. Clark Eichelmberger, secretary of the American Association for the League of Nations, has a busy day in Cape Girardeau, beginning with an address at the assembly of the Teachers College in the morning and followed by a talk before the Rotary Club at noon; he speaks at a public gathering in the evening at the college.

Emmett R. Stuber of Fulton, Mo., the new coach for the Teachers College, has selected C.P. Harris as coach for the College High School.

100 years ago: July 11, 1907

The toll gate in Cape Girardeau yesterday saw its demise at the hands of an ax-wielding farmer; George Rayburn, a well-to-do farmer living three miles south of Jackson, came to town yesterday and, after transacting business, started home; at the gates west of Cape Girardeau, the bar was down and passage was refused unless the toll was paid; Rayburn returned to the city and purchased an ax, which he then used to chop down the toll gate.

Vivid lightning visits Cape Girardeau with the thunder and rain storm in the morning; Bessie McCain is shocked in her house at 115 S. Pacific St.; she is rendered unconscious for a few moments.

-- Sharon K. Sanders