Out of the past 7/17/05

25 years ago: July 17, 1980

Police are attempting to find an elderly Cape Girardeau woman, missing for a week, whose home and car trunk were discovered to contain bloodstains; a 16-year-old boy, who was seen driving the woman's car, is in custody.

The relentless July heat wave that has blanketed the area has kept residents inside seeking relief from 100-plus temperatures, and it's forcing a summer tradition inside, too; commencement exercises at Southeast Missouri State University will be held in air-conditioned Academic Hall Saturday evening, rather than on the terraces east of Academic.

50 years ago: July 17, 1955

The Rev. Fred H. Brand is the new pastor of the First Assembly of God Church, replacing the Rev. Norman F. Brewer, who is now in Stillwater, Okla.; Brand was an evangelist for seven years throughout the United States and Canada, and conducted three revivals at the local church; he has been in the ministry since 1938.

A torrential rainstorm, punctuated by occasional bright streaks of lightning and claps of loud thunder, floods Cape Girardeau and the area to the south, while the north part of the county escapes entirely or receives only minor local showers.

75 years ago: July 17, 1930

The Cape Girardeau City Council, in a special session yesterday, directed city counselor Frank A. Lowry to appear in behalf of the city before the Interstate Commerce Commission in the matter of the Missouri Pacific consolidation to urge upon the commission the importance of the re-establishment of the operation of the Cape Girardeau Northern Railroad from here to Perryville, Mo.

Charles and Don Black, who are part owners in two of the three miniature golf courses in Cape Girardeau, have extended their organization to nearby towns; in Flat River, Mo., Perryville, Mo., and Ste. Genevieve, Mo., golf courses in which they have an interest have been opened within the past two weeks.

100 years ago: July 17, 1905

The Rev. E.W. Brickert, noted preacher and pastor of the First Christian Church of San Antonio, Texas, and his wife, who is reputed to be a most talented singer, lead the worship service in the evening at the Christian Church.

The Cape Girardeau City Council passes an ordinance repealing Ordinance 636, which provided for the acceptance of a library from Louis Houck and his wife and its maintenance.

-- Sharon K. Sanders