Out of the past 7/24/11

25 years ago: July 24, 1986

A utility/pedestrian bridge is beginning to take shape on the Southeast Missouri State University campus; the $240,000 bridge, which will span New Madrid Street, is expected to be completed by October; it will carry water, electric and steam lines to the Multipurpose Building.

Businesses in the Cape LaCroix and Walker Creek Levee and Drainage District have pledged $446,000, marking a first step on the way to raising $1 million for flood control.

50 years ago: July 24, 1961

Around 500 people braved rain yesterday to attend the Cape Girardeau County Historical's dedication program at Bollinger Mill and covered bridge at Burfordville; the mill and grounds were presented to the society by the Vandivort family of Cape Girardeau for preservation and development.

Dr. Raymond A. Ritter, speaking from a platform at the edge of the swimming pool at its dedication yesterday afternoon declared of Camp Lewallen and this latest addition, "Here is a place where we hope to add to the building of youth's character"; the new pool at the Boy Scouts camp cost $50,000.

75 years ago: July 24, 1936

Recommendations for an increase of $10,400 in merchants' licenses, establishment of a drivers' license yielding $6,000 and the borrowing of $7,000 to be paid back from the proceeds of a 7-cent tax levy next year were presented to the Cape Girardeau City Council last night by a committee of six merchants.

Sign-up day is held at the bridge over Whitewater River at Runnels' Ford; highway engineer Norbert Sewing meets with a delegation of local farmers who commit themselves to working on the new bridge's approaches; a structure of concrete and steel, 270 feet in length, will be built.

100 years ago: July 24, 1911

Professor W.W. Martin announces to some of his friends that he has resigned his position at the Normal School to accept a similar position at the Normal at Platville, Wis.

Mr. and Mrs. W.B. Hufstedtler return from a long tour through the West, having visited Salt Lake City, Denver and Los Angeles; they will now move to Cape Girardeau from Chaffee, Mo.; Hufstedtler is a Frisco freight brakeman.

-- Sharon K. Sanders