Out of the past 8/3/06

25 years ago: Aug. 3, 1981

Air traffic controllers at Cape Girardeau Municipal Airport join in a nationwide strike, forcing Ozark Air Lines, the largest commercial carrier operating here, to ground scheduled flights to and from Cape Girardeau; four members of the local Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization man a picket line at the airport.

A proposal to establish an 82-acre landfill on Highway 74 between Cape Girardeau and Dutchtown has come under attack from nearby residents who fear possible contamination of their well water; the city of Cape Girardeau has taken an option on the land as the proposed site of a new city landfill, agreeing to pay $200,000 to Steve Landgraf Industries Inc. of Cape Girardeau for option on the land.

50 years ago: Aug. 3, 1956

The Cape Girardeau City Council adopts a revised ordinance for collection of garbage and rubbish and orders advertisements for bids on a new contract; in most respects, the ordinance is the same under which refuse collections have been conducted the past three years.

First National Bank announces that effective Aug. 11, it will have new business hours on Saturday; the bank will be open at 8:30 a.m., one-half hour earlier than now, and will close at noon, two hours earlier.

75 years ago: Aug. 3, 1931

Surpassing all previous records for the year, a rainstorm of near cloudburst proportions sweeps over Cape Girardeau at noon, flooding streets, tying up traffic and causing extensive damage in the downtown business section where sewer facilities are inadequate; the rain is accompanied by a severe electrical storm, but no damage from lightning is reported.

Plans, specifications and estimates of cost for the paving of Merriwether Street, from Sprigg to Pacific streets, are ordered prepared by the city council.

100 years ago: Aug. 3, 1906

Ben Juden, the handsome, young second lieutenant of Company K, the local organization of the Missouri National Guard, has decided to enlist in the Army; he has chosen the cavalry branch of the service.

No doubt the finest industrial sight ever seen in Southeast Missouri can be witnessed any day by making a trip to the Southern Metal and Manufacturing Co. plant that is being built south of Cape Girardeau; four of the monster buildings are nearing completion, and foundations for three others are in.

-- Sharon K. Sanders