Out of the past 7/17/06

25 years ago: July 17, 1981

Dr. Robert C. Briner, director of the Southeast Missouri Regional Crime Laboratory in Cape Girardeau, has been named to serve on a 32-member statewide commission to find new ways to combat crime.

Following a meeting last night to discuss contract negotiations, Cape Girardeau area members of the American Postal Workers Union decided to wait until Monday to decide what action to take should their contract expire, as it is scheduled to do at midnight Monday.

50 years ago: July 17, 1956

Work on the National Guard Armory in Cape Girardeau continues; most of the concrete footings have been poured; Walter Koenig, foreman for the contractor, Bennett Construction Co. of Kansas City, says there is little likelihood that the steel strike will interfere with work on the building.

Latest tabulation of gifts and pledges to the Cape Osteopathic Hospital building campaign reveals a total of $178,652 has been contributed or pledged toward the goal of $200,000.

75 years ago: July 17, 1931

SIKESTON, Mo. -- The city council, through a resolution, has ordered Missouri Utilities Co., which formerly furnished all electric power here, to remove its poles and other equipment from the city's streets.

Residents west and southwest of Cape Girardeau have requested to Prosecuting Attorney S.P. Dalton that action be taken to curb ruthless shooting by hunters along roads in that part of Cape Girardeau County; a number of persons living along Gordonville Road and along the Jackson-Benton Road say men and boys, usually riding in automobiles, have endangered lives in that vicinity by shooting at rabbits and squirrels along the roads, without heed about the safety of others.

100 years ago: July 17, 1906

In connection with yesterday's announcement of the establishment of the Southeast Missouri Trust Company of Cape Girardeau, it is reported that a modern skyscraper will be built at Broadway and Fountain Street, which will house the trust company; the structure, located on the old Whitelaw property, will be built by the Himmelberger-Harrison Lumber Co.

Eugene St. Avit receives a Maxwell runabout automobile; a Mr. Harrington brings it down on the boat and will give St. Avit a few instructions in the operation of the machine.

-- Sharon K. Sanders