Out of the past 7/29/05

25 years ago: July 29, 1980

An engineering firm is to embark upon the second phase of a plan for a Mississippi River port near here after a commodity market analysis initially has shown there is a need; the analysis shows there is a potential for moving as much as 550,000 tons of commodities through the port at a freight savings to users of between $1.5 million and $2.5 million annually.

Ousted Circuit Judge Lloyd G. "Jerry" Briggs of Sikeston, Mo., defends his actions as judge and attacks his opponent, state Sen. John Dennis of Benton, Mo., for having strong ties to the "banking community" during a candidates' forum at Southeast Missouri State University.

50 years ago: July 29, 1955

Organization of a citizens' committee to direct the campaign in behalf of the new swimming pool has been perfected among representatives of various civic groups; Dr. John T. Crowe, one of those active in efforts to initiate the proposal, was elected general chairman for the campaign.

The first death in Cape Girardeau as a result of hot weather occurs when Elmer H. Bohle, 53, dies at a local hospital; Bohle was stricken with heat prostration yesterday afternoon while at work at the International Shoe Co. plant.

75 years ago: July 29, 1930

At a special meeting yesterday, the board of supervisors of the Little River Drainage District gave final approval that brings to a close the controversy between bondholders and the district; the agreement curtails payments on bonds over the next five-year period; the taxpayers of the district will have to pay during the next five years only a little over 50 percent of what they have been paying up to this time.

Some relief for heat-stricken Southeast Missouri comes on the heels of the hottest day of the year, which equaled the record of 1918 at 106 degrees.

100 years ago: July 29, 1905

L.J. Adams and professor S.W. Dearmont will leave Monday for Chicago, where they will be joined by Louis Houck, and the three will select the furniture for the new Normal School building; the offices will be finished in mahogany, and the furniture will be of the same wood.

A poll of the county is being taken in order to determine the opinion of the voting populace on the question of building a new courthouse in Jackson; R.M. Rutledge and Adam Weber are conducting the survey in Cape Girardeau; so far, the results from this town are heavily in favor of a new building.

-- Sharon K. Sanders