Out of the past 8/23/06

25 years ago: Aug. 23, 1981

The Silver Jubilee Mass held in the afternoon at the Arena Building marks the 25th anniversary of the formation of the Catholic Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau; principal celebrant is Cardinal William Baum, Prefect of the Sacred Congregation for Catholic Education in the Vatican and former bishop of the local diocese.

Dr. Charles Wiles, a former president of the Cape Girardeau (Evening) Optimist Club, was designated governor-elect of the Missouri District of Optimist International at the organization's district convention in Kansas City yesterday.

50 years ago: Aug. 23, 1956

Sesquicentennial attention turns to the young people of Cape Girardeau and the area in a "Youth Day" program led off by a parade west on Broadway, which culminates in a series of activities at Capaha Park; the Black Knights of Belleville, Ill., a national champion drum and bugle corps, leads the parade.

Ernest B. "Toby" Foster, assistant superintendent of the International Shoe Co. No. 1 plant in Cape Girardeau, will retire Sept. 1 after nearly 40 years of service; Foster began his career in Cape Girardeau with International in 1917, stamping sizes on shoe linings.

75 years ago: Aug. 23, 1931

Centenary Methodist Church last week started a drive for $2,100 to meet the interest payment due Sept. 1 on the education building; last March, a payment was made on the principal, and this smaller payment is for interest only.

The Rev. Stanley J. Miller, pastor of the Assembly of God Church at South Sprigg and Hickory streets, delivers his last sermon to the local congregation; he has tendered his resignation and will leave shortly for Marion, Ohio, where he will take on evangelical work for the time being.

100 years ago: Aug. 23, 1906

The Young Americans are preparing to give a river excursion soon; this organization is composed of boys who have banded together for the cultivation of manliness in muscle, mind and morals; among the members are: Virgil Wilson, Otto Kochtitzky, Werner Mueller, Everrett Amis, Edgar Culler, Percy Osterloh, Kendrick Burrough, Kenneth Finley, Albert Givens, Harold Buckley, Paul Wilson, Hubert Smith, Leach Rider and Pierson Haman.

Anna Pearson of Evansville, Ind., is in Cape Girardeau visiting her sister, Mrs. Etta Allison, and will remain until September.

-- Sharon K. Sanders