Out of the past 9/12/11

25 years ago: Sept. 12, 1986

Circuit Judge A.J. Seier of Cape Girardeau strikes down a state law assessing apartments at two rates depending on the number of units, ruling the measure is unconstitutional; the ruling sets the assessment rate of all apartment buildings at 19 percent of value, the same as the residential rate.

Yesterday's threatening weather apparently kept people away from the SEMO District Fair, as attendance was reported at just 6,744; The Judds will headline tonight's grandstand performances.

50 years ago: Sept. 12, 1961

Leo Burgfeld terminated his service with International Shoe Co. at the close of his day's work Friday, and yesterday afternoon started his new employment as city night marshal for Jackson; Burgfeld had worked for the shoe company 37 years.

The SEMO District Fair will open this afternoon, the first major events of the exposition being the talent show and beauty contest in the evening.

75 years ago: Sept. 12, 1936

Designed to bolster general revenue of the city by about $20,000 annually, a new occupational tax was passed by the Cape Girardeau City Council yesterday; approval of the ordinance followed rejection of a 1 percent sales tax and a one-half of 1 percent occupational tax; the tax on businesses of various kinds ranges from $15 to $400, depending on the businesses' gross annual receipts.

Hundreds of people to serve as cotton pickers have been called from the lists in the national re-employment offices of Southeast Missouri; pickers will be paid 75 cents to $1 per 100 pounds.

100 years ago: Sept. 12, 1911

C.C. Hawley receives a telegram from Springfield, Mo., advising him that the contract for making the extensive improvements to Cape Girardeau's riverfront has been awarded to him; the three-year contract includes the building of two big concrete walls, the paving of the levee with stone, the paving of Water Street with wood blocks and the improving of the riverfront generally.

Jackson can boast one of the best high schools in Southeast Missouri; Superintendent Goodin had the building remodeled during vacation, with several rooms added and a large commodious study hall being made of the north wing.

-- Sharon K. Sanders