Out of the past 8/1/09

25 years ago: Aug. 1, 1984

Because of the improved docking facilities at Cape Girardeau, two luxury paddle wheelers which travel the Mississippi River will make the city a port of call next year; the Delta Queen Steamboat Co. is scheduling regular stops here for both the Delta Queen and the Mississippi Queen.

Plans by BioKyowa Inc. to improve its newly purchased port facility on the Mississippi River just east of South Sprigg Street receives a boost when the Cape Girardeau City Council approves a resolution authorizing the issuance of $2.2 million in industrial revenue bonds to help finance the project.

50 years ago: Aug. 1, 1959

Sunny Hill Dairy Co. of Cape Girardeau announces the purchase of the operating equipment, trucks and dairy plant equipment of the Schonhoff Bros. Dairy; as of today, Schonhoff ceases to process and deliver milk, after nearly 50 years in the business; the Sunny Hill company is headed by L.C. Blattner and L.C. Blattner Jr.

J.R. Moorehead retires as manager and secretary-treasurer of the Southeast Missouri Lumber Co.; he is succeeded by A.D. Price as manager of the company.

75 years ago: Aug. 1, 1934

Rain, the first of any consequence in Cape Girardeau in nearly three weeks, fell last night and early today, bringing slight relief from the drought; the slow rainfall here is measured at 0.58 of an inch; lightning accompanies the rain and strikes the dwelling of Mr. and Mrs. George Walther, 825 Hickory St., doing only slight damage.

Nine men are constructing a building at 411 Good Hope St., for Day Furniture Co.; W.M. Day is directing the work; he plans to move the store, now at 38 N. Water St., to the new place about Sept. 1.

100 years ago: Aug. 1, 1909

Reports that Harry Howell would pitch for the Chaffee, Mo., baseball team in its contest against the Capahas here draw a big crowd; but a strengthened Cape Girardeau club demolishes the visitors, the game ending something like 15, 20 or 25 to nothing.

A petition will be presented to the Cape Girardeau City Council on Monday night asking that Broadway be paved with brick from the levee to Middle Street.

-- Sharon K. Sanders