Out of the past 7/16/06

25 years ago: July 16, 1981

Federal revenue--sharing funds during the new fiscal year will make up 6 percent of Cape Girardeau's total budget of $10,955,254; the total amount in the fund has been set at $654,000 -- $649,000 in new funds and $5,000 from interest generated by the fund; the majority of the revenue-sharing money is being earmarked for operating costs in the solid waste disposal division of the public works department.

The SEMO District Fair Board announces that Johnny Cash and his wife, June, will be featured entertainers at the September festival, along with Dr. Hook.

50 years ago: July 16, 1956

Paul T. Haagen Jr., professional theatrical producer and director, has been assigned by the John B. Rogers Producing Co. to direct and stage the huge historical pageant, "The Legend of Cape Girardeau," which will be presented nightly during Cape Girardeau's Sesquicentennial week; Aug. 19 to 25, at Houck Stadium.

Main Street merchants, in a petition presented to the Cape Girardeau City Council, ask for more parking space in the area; the petition asks for the conversion of the present South Main Street parkway into a parking area and the acquisition of Frisco Railway property.

75 years ago: July 16, 1931

Twice daily mail service between Cape Girardeau and several Scott County towns served by Star Route out of Cape Girardeau become effective; R.H. Tallent begins the new service, delivering to Ancell, Fornfelt, Illmo, Commerce and Benton.

The Hirsch Bros. Co. has purchased from Mrs. Ella Wall Rodney the property on the northwest corner of North Main Street and Mill Street in Cape Girardeau, which is now occupied by a grocery store; plans are to build a modern brick building there to be used as a store; Hirsch Bros. has a store just south and across the street from the property.

100 years ago: July 16, 1906

Attorney R.B. Oliver files articles of incorporation at Jackson for the Southeast Missouri Trust Co. of Cape Girardeau; arrangements have been made to acquire a majority of the stock of the Sturdivant Bank and, as soon as the new trust company is in operation, the Sturdivant will be controlled by it.

The big encampment of the National Guard of Missouri began yesterday, with several hundred men taking part in summer maneuvers on property south of Cape Girardeau.

-- Sharon K. Sanders