Out of the past 9/11/06

25 years ago: Sept. 11, 1981

Declining enrollments, a narrowing tax base and inflation have proved costly to the Delta School District, forcing program cuts, postponement of needed school building maintenance and upgrading of the district's buses; as a result, school officials have decided to seek a 70-cent increase in the school operating levy.

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- The Dunn Hotel, a century-old landmark at the south end of Main Street here, is being demolished to make way for an extension of Main; the Kayser-Montgomery Construction Co. is using what is called "controlled demolition," designed to prevent damage to any nearby buildings.

50 years ago: Sept. 11, 1956

An exhibit that is sure to attract attention at this year's SEMO District Fair and may surprise many Girardeans, is the big tent full of displays of the products of local industry; it is the largest display tent on the grounds and is located in the northwest corner of Arena Park.

ADVANCE, Mo. -- In the fourth attempt in two years to approve a school bond issue, voters at a special R-3 District election pass an issue of $250,000; the bond receipts will fund construction of a new high school building and permit certain remodeling for the present building, which will become only a grade school.

75 years ago: Sept. 11, 1931

Almost without exception, schools of Southeast Missouri, like those in Cape Girardeau, have enrollments larger than they had a year ago; many of them have more pupils in classes than they have ever had, and in some districts building space is taxed to accommodate the large numbers.

Highway department workers are removing a coating of rock asphalt from the north approach of the Highway 61 bridge over the Diversion Channel south of Cape Girardeau and will replace the covering with plank asphalt.

100 years ago: Sept. 11, 1906

The Common Pleas Courthouse square is filled with a motley crowd of local residents and witnesses for both sides in the peonage case, which is being heard in federal court before Judge Pollock; eight men from Scott and New Madrid counties have been accused of holding about 50 blacks in virtual slavery.

John F. Williams, the socialist candidate for Congress, speaks on the street near the St. Charles Hotel in the evening.

-- Sharon K. Sanders