Out of the past 8/19/08

25 years ago: Aug. 19, 1983

Sixteen Cape Girardeau Police Department officers who are competing for promotions to sergeant or lieutenant are given physical fitness tests at Central High School.

An 80-bed drug and alcohol treatment unit may be in operation at Saint Francis Medical Center within five years as part of a major expansion project being proposed by hospital officials; plans call for renovation of the hospital's north wing where the drug and alcohol treatment unit would be housed.

50 years ago: Aug. 19, 1958

The Monday city council meeting, an institution in Cape Girardeau municipal affairs, may be on its way out; Commissioner J.W. McBride has suggested to his fellow councilmen that they consider a different meeting day, as Monday has become one of the busiest days of the week in the city clerk's office and in his own work with parks.

The old iron bridge over Apple Creek at Old Appleton, for 79 years a feature of the picturesque mill and dam on the stream, will get a face lift under a joint program agreed to yesterday by the county courts of Cape Girardeau and Perry counties.

75 years ago: Aug. 19, 1933

Voting in the dry law repeal election in Cape Girardeau is light, indicating little interest; by noon, the city's 10 wards total only 687 votes; at Common Pleas Courthouse, one election clerk has difficulty staying awake and finally sends to her home for a radio.

The Southeast Missourian signs the temporary Recovery Act Code and will begin operating Monday under the new regulations; all employees coming under the regulations of the code will be placed on a five-day week of eight hours per day.

100 years ago: Aug. 19, 1908

Kempe Bros. Realty Co. is another new enterprise in Cape Girardeau, formed by A.H. Kempe and Arthur Kempe; they will buy and sell real estate and collect rent.

R.L. Thomas, formerly a bookkeeper with M.E. Leming, and who is remembered by many Girardeans, stops off here and spends the afternoon and evening; he had been to his home down south and is on the way back to Seattle, where he is connected with an accounting firm.

— Sharon K. Sanders