Out of the past 7/2/06

25 years ago: July 2, 1981

The Cape Girardeau City Council last night voted to approve a public transit system, which will use five leased buses -- four on fixed routes and one in reserve -- and a demand-response van, which the city will either lease or purchase.

After a lengthy and occasionally emotional debate between Cape Girardeau Mayor Howard C. Tooke and Jerry S. Estes of Cape Girardeau Cable TV, the city council last night adopted a motion to certify the cable system here complete as of Sept. 1, giving the company 60 days to bury a number of cables now strung across the ground in various parts of the city.

50 years ago: July 2, 1956

Dr. Mark F. Scully, a Southeast Missourian by birth and rearing, returns as the 10th president of State College, the school where he did his undergraduate work and 21 years ago received his first degree.

Recommendations of the City Traffic Advisory Committee are approved and members hear a detailed explanation of parking and traffic regulations to apply during the week of the Sesquicentennial Celebration at the Cape Girardeau City Council meeting.

75 years ago: July 2, 1931

After setting another new high mark in temperature yesterday of 100 degrees, the heat wave in Cape Girardeau goes into its sweltering 14th day; the sun-baked city tops out at 97 degrees this afternoon.

The Cape Girardeau City Council has voted to permanently install a motorcycle officer for the city; the present mounted officer, Clarence Mudd, has been selected for the position; Tuesday ended a month's trial period for the motorcycle patrolman, during which time Mudd made 22 citations against motorists, and pleas of guilty were entered in all but two of those cases.

100 years ago: July 2, 1906

At a special session of the Common Pleas Court, the injunction suit brought by Louis Houck against the Fair and Park Association is dismissed upon the request of attorneys for both sides; Houck had brought the suit last fall, and he was granted a temporary injunction against the fair to prevent it from selling liquor on the grounds.

Serious damage to the home of J.W. Phillips on North Fountain Streets is avoided through the efforts of Dr. W.C. Patton; Patton discovers the flames as he passes the residence.

-- Sharon K. Sanders