Out of the past 8/8/09

25 years ago: Aug. 8, 1984

With the planned signing of an architectural contract today, the city of Cape Girardeau is back in partnership with Southeast Missouri State University on a joint multipurpose building; the project is being renewed with one qualification -- that the city successfully execute the sale of the $5 million bonds by Sept. 15.

Rolla, Mo., businessman Bill Blue received 30 percent of the votes cast yesterday in the 8th Congressional District Democratic primary; Cape Girardeau music store owner Thad Bullock finished fourth in the primary with 16 percent of the vote.

50 years ago: Aug. 8, 1959

Motorists who have failed to observe the changes in stop signs along William Street have figured in 14 traffic accidents since it was made a through street on June 1; the greatest number of collisions occurred at Frederick and William streets, two this week.

The cornerstone of the new Alma Schrader Elementary School at the intersection of Janet and Randol drives to the west of Dennis Scivally Park will be laid with the formal ceremonies of the Masonic Lodge tomorrow afternoon.

75 years ago: Aug. 8, 1934

Voting was unusually light in Cape Girardeau County yesterday when the primary election, with party contests scarce, coaxed only 1,096 Republicans and 1,625 Democrats to the polls; in the Democratic race for the U.S. Senate, the county gave Jacob Milligan a small margin, with Harry Truman ranking second.

Edgar W. Hirsch, a motorcycle patrolman with the Cape Girardeau Police Department, has been named acting chief by the city council; he succeeds J.E. Crafton.

100 years ago: Aug. 8, 1909

The Rev. Michael D. Collins, a Catholic priest from Jackson, will begin a series of lectures at Millersville this week; he will celebrate Mass there Tuesday, the first time a Mass has been said in that place.

The Jackson baseballers take pleasantly and enthusiastically to Willie Hall's offerings and plate seven runs, while the shoe factory lads put up only a row of zeros; the visitors from Cape Girardeau play fair ball, but they are outclassed by the home team, 7-0.

-- Sharon K. Sanders