Out of the past 8/5/06

25 years ago: Aug. 5, 1981

It is a somber scene at the Cape Girardeau Municipal Airport at 10 a.m., when striking air-traffic controllers learn they might be unemployed; more than an hour later, however, the four striking Professional Air Traffic Controllers members here are informed the government has apparently extended the back-to-work deadline using a formula based on the times controllers were scheduled to report for duty.

If approved by the city council, Cape Girardeau voters will decide the fate of the home-rule charter for the city on Nov. 3.

50 years ago: Aug. 5, 1956

Groundbreaking ceremonies are held in the afternoon on a site 5 1/2 miles southeast of Benton, Mo., on Highway 55 for the $340,000 high school to serve the school district in Scott County.

Members of St. Mary's Church break ground following the 10 a.m. Mass for a new, $100,000 parochial rectory, which will replace the present priests' residence constructed about 1870; the new rectory will be attached to the rear of the church and will front on William Street; when completed, the old house will be razed to provide additional playground space for pupils of St. Mary's Grade School.

75 years ago: Aug. 5, 1931

A small brick building at 119 N. Sprigg St. is being remodeled and redecorated for use as a barbecue lunchroom, to be known as "The Antique"; J.A. Simmons, who recently came to Cape Girardeau from South Bend, Ind., is the owner of the restaurant, and Evelyn Owen is to be the manager.

The miniature golf course on Broadway, operated by Don and Charles Black, has been closed and won't reopen this summer; lack of business is given as the reason for the closing; the course was built last summer.

100 years ago: Aug. 5, 1906

A very serious wreck took place on the Cape Girardeau & Chester Railroad a quarter of a mile west of Friedheim, Mo., yesterday morning; engineer Robert Schmittzehe and fireman Sam Gore were badly wounded; a special train carrying officials of the railroad and Drs. Ben Schulz and M. Rosenthal left Cape Girardeau at 10 a.m. and returned from the wreck at 3 p.m. with the injured men.

Mrs. O.L. Kochtitzky and son, Otto, return home in the morning from a trip to the Blue Ridge Mountains.

-- Sharon K. Sanders