Out of the past 8/15/11

25 years ago: Aug. 15, 1986

The Cape Girardeau County Democratic and Republican central committees may emerge with new chairmen next week; both Ken McManaman, chairman of the Democratic committee for two years, and Kevin Phillips, chairman of the Republican committee for four years, indicate they are leaning against continuing in their roles.

The Youth City Government Day sponsored by the three Cape Girardeau Optimist clubs is selected as the best government affairs program in Optimist International's Community Projects Awards Program competition for the year.

50 years ago: Aug. 15, 1961

Appointment of John L. Blue, a member of The Missourian news staff for 21 years, as managing editor to succeed the late Juel Mosley, is announced by publisher Fred Naeter.

Naval reservists with the Cape Girardeau Naval Training Center have been asked to volunteer for active duty to help build up the Navy by 29,000 men; Lt. Cmdr. James Brandon, in charge for the local training center, says every reserve unit in the county has been asked to furnish volunteers.

75 years ago: Aug. 15, 1936

A decision by the city council earlier in the week to save expenditures by dismissing 17 city employees, including three police officers, was rescinded yesterday at a council session.

The city of Cape Girardeau may decline officially to sponsor the downtown stormsewer construction, on which the Works Progress Administration will spend about $160,000; the city won't cooperate with the project until informed that foremen who are considered highly capable of directing such work as the storm-sewer construction are hired.

100 years ago: Aug. 15, 1911

At the city council meeting last night, a $20 per year tax was slapped upon each car operated by the street railway system; this tax was provided by amending the merchants' licenses ordinance that was revised and passed a week ago and that, at that time, contained no provision for taxing the railway system.

Capt. Thomas Baldwin, the aeronaut, has offered to give flying exhibitions three days during this year's fair; directors of the fair association will meet tomorrow to decide this and other matters.

-- Sharon K. Sanders