Out of the past 8/23/09

25 years ago: Aug. 23, 1984

Gail Todt, Miss Oran, was named Homecomers Queen during the annual pageant last night in Jackson; second runner-up was Martha Schoen, Miss Oak Ridge, and Nancy Roth, Miss Uniontown, was first runner-up.

An ordinance authorizing the city of Cape Girardeau to enter into an agreement with Southeast Missouri State University for the construction of a joint city-university multipurpose building is approved by the City Council.

50 years ago: Aug. 23, 1959

The congregation of Grace Methodist Church transfers from its old edifice to the new education building on Caruthers Street; worship services will be held in the new building until the adjacent church is completed; the old church at Sprigg and Independence streets will become the city's police headquarters.

Forty-eight beauties from Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois parade across the stage at the Arena Building in preliminary competition preceding the final selection of a beauty queen at the SEMO District Fair.

75 years ago: Aug. 23, 1934

The Cape Girardeau City Council appropriates $1,000 toward securing the federal government's meat canning plant for the city; the Chamber of Commerce had asked the council to make a contribution of $1,250 to guarantee the establishment of the plant here, which would employ 430 persons weekly.

OLD APPLETON, Mo. -- A hearing has been asked by the Appleton Distilling Co., in an effort to get a distillery permit for the plant, idle since before Prohibition days; recently, a license was denied at Washington.

100 years ago: Aug. 23, 1909

There is talk of paving Cape Girardeau's levee; the starting of the paving work on Main, Themis and Independence streets has prompted thoughts of improving other streets as well; most levee property holders and those on Broadway won't be satisfied with streets left in the old condition, muddy when it's wet and dusty when it's dry.

The Bergmann-Bartels Co. will do some extensive improving and enlarging of its big Broadway store; W.C. Bergmann, who owns the structure, has contracted with Tony Haas to remodel and fix up the basement; a warehouse is also planned as an addition to the rear of the building.

-- Sharon K. Sanders