Out of the past 8/7/05

25 years ago: Aug. 7, 1980

At a morning news conference, 13 "incorporators" sign the articles of incorporation for the Cape Girardeau Redevelopment Corp., which will be forwarded to Secretary of State James Kirkpatrick for registration with the state; efforts also begin to raise approximately $70,000 for a feasibility study of downtown redevelopment.

CHARLESTON, Mo. -- Stunned by his third defeat at the polls in four years, former Gov. Warren E. Hearnes says his four-decade career in public service is over; Hearnes, 57, Tuesday failed to retain the Southeast Missouri judgeship to which he was appointed in March.

50 years ago: Aug. 7, 1955

Two rainstorms -- one in the early morning accompanied by heavy lightning and the other wind-driven from the north in the early evening -- brings an inch of rain to the Cape Girardeau area; north of Jackson, reports are that only a sprinkle of rain falls.

Approximately 225 youths and directors attend the Methodist youth rally for the Cape Girardeau District MYF held at Old McKendree Chapel near Jackson; 45 youth groups of the four subdistricts -- Mississippi, New Madrid, Scott and Cape Girardeau counties -- are represented.

75 years ago: Aug. 7, 1930

City Commissioner Louis Wittmore reveals that the repairing of the break in the sanitary outlet line of the West End sewer cost the city about $2,500; the repairs will be paid out of the general revenue fund and won't be assessed against property owners in the district.

To aid the people of Southeast Missouri in their efforts to ward off an epidemic of typhoid fever, which is a menace in rural areas during the present drought, the Teachers College offers its services free of charge to make tests of suspicious water supplies; professor. A.C. Magill of the chemistry department will test the samples.

100 years ago: Aug. 7, 1905

The city should take action toward stopping the practice of leaving horses hitched for hours at a time along Cape Girardeau's principal streets; Main Street is crowded from early until late, and the effect is most disagreeable to the merchants; the animals are nearly driven crazy by flies, and the street is kept in an unsanitary condition.

Price's Floating Palace shows in the evening to a large audience and gives a pleasing performance; it is one of the oldest and biggest shows on the river.

-- Sharon K. Sanders