Out of the past 8/31/09

25 years ago: Aug. 31, 1984

The Cape Girardeau City Council is expected to give final approval to the Cape Girardeau Redevelopment Corporation's downtown refurbishing plan when it meets Wednesday.

A group of Cape Girardeau residents announces a petition drive to repeal by referendum an ordinance that creates a joint city-Southeast Missouri State University commission to oversee operation of the proposed Cape Girardeau multipurpose building.

50 years ago: Aug. 31, 1959

More than 5,000 Cape Girardeau school children, and a proportionate number of teachers, will start classes tomorrow; except for State College and its elementary and secondary adjunct, all Cape Girardeau schools will be in session.

Running low on fuel and its instruments not functioning properly, an F9F Cougar sought haven at the municipal airport during the rain and windstorm Saturday; the fast Navy jet is still there, pending a decision on how to get it out of the field; the landing area required is much less than the required takeoff area.

75 years ago: Aug. 31, 1934

While a crowd estimated at 3,500 people applauds, Missouri's Golden Troopers -- the Louis K. Juden Post, American Legion, Drum and Bugle Corps -- present the drill and music they will perform in defense of their state championship at the Kansas City convention this weekend; the musicians play numbers written specifically for them by Col. Andrew W. Scott of Chicago.

Guy M. Cobble, one of the two blacksmiths left in Jackson, says he has sharpened more plow shares in the last two weeks than ever before in such a short period.

100 years ago: Aug. 31, 1909

Dr. A. List, who owns the beautiful residence at the northeast corner of Broadway and Lorimier Street, is making improvements to the property; he has a crew taking up the brick sidewalks that surround the corner site and will replace them with a granitoid walk.

St. Louis architect L.B. Blackwood was in Cape Girardeau yesterday on his way to Kennett, Mo., where he is building a fine YMCA and library building.

-- Sharon K. Sanders