Out of the past 9/13/05

25 years ago: Sept. 13, 1980

As the final crowd of the year files through the gates at the SEMO District Fair in the evening, fair officials predict that the total fair attendance will be about 85,000, the same as last year.

The industrial arts department at Southeast Missouri State University will begin moving into the new $800,000 west wing addition to the Serena Industrial and Technical Education Building by mid-October.

50 years ago: Sept. 13, 1955

A century of fairs in Cape Girardeau will be observed in a grandstand program as one of the highlights of Wednesday's showing of the SEMO District Fair; this is the 100th year since the Missouri Legislature established the Southeast Missouri District Agriculture Society, from which the present exposition is a direct descendant; large crowds are enjoying the centennial edition; yesterday's admission was 2,190.

In line with a directive from Gov. Phil M. Donnelly, president W.W. Parker of State College says a referendum on whether the faculty wants to come under the federal social security system will be held here, as soon as the minimum 90-day notice limit is up in October.

75 years ago: Sept. 13, 1930

Unless the government is disposed to quickly pay the amounts of judgments awarded landowners in condemnation suits for the Birds Point-New Madrid setback levee, Judge C.B. Faris says in future cases he will require a sufficient deposit with the court to guarantee immediate payment.

Edith Low has resigned as assistant librarian at the Cape Girardeau Public Library and will go to Bonne Terre, Mo., Sunday, where she will be librarian at the Bonne Terre Memorial Library; Lenore Rafferty, librarian, says Low's place won't be filled.

100 years ago: Sept. 13, 1905

Much activity is being displayed at the site of the new power house, which will furnish the motive power for the new street railway; a large force of men is at work putting in the cement piers which will form the foundation for the building and the heavy pieces of machinery.

The Commercial Club is doing active work toward opening up a 100-foot boulevard around the city; yesterday, A.R. Ponder, E. W. Flentge and T.M. Williams put in the day surveying and are at it again today; they started at the east end of Normal Avenue and will survey through to Main Street, coming out just south of R.G. Ranney's house.

-- Sharon K. Sanders