Out of the Past 9/13/08

25 years ago: Sept. 13, 1983

Fair skies and a better than fair-sized first-day crowd have SEMO District Fair officials optimistic about the rest of the week; yesterday's "Sneak a Peek" promotion, which let fairgoers onto the grounds at no charge, drew an estimated 11,000 people.

Jerry Zimmer, president of Zimmer Broadcasting in Cape Girardeau, announces that KEZS-FM will make its debut Sept. 19, featuring easy-listening music; Zimmer Broadcasting was granted approval to operate the former KFMP soon after that station went off the air in July.

50 years ago: Sept. 13, 1958

Exploding paint cans and fertilizer drums feed a fast-moving fire early in the morning that destroys the business office and warehouse facilities of the Ochs Floral Co. on Cape Rock Drive, damages a section of the greenhouse and ruins at least a third of the plants growing inside.

The SEMO District Fair continues to attract large crowds; in its first four days of operation, attendance was recorded at 32,405, the highest in the event's history; an automobile thrill show is sure to draw a big audience tonight.

75 years ago: Sept. 13, 1933

Otto Schoen, for 25 years engaged in the mercantile business at Fornfelt, Mo., is notified of his appointment by Gov. Guy B. Park as an inspector of the state agriculture department; Schoen is a partner with Tony Baudendistel in a general mercantile business.

His days of running down liquor law violators ended by discontinuance of the Prohibition enforcement office here, E.R. Brown has turned to the gridiron; the former Prohibition agent has enrolled as a freshman at the Teachers College and hopes to play football for coach Abe Stuber.

100 years ago: Sept. 13, 1908

Bishop Charles B. Galloway preaches at the new Methodist church in Cape Girardeau in the morning; his sermon is the first by any eminent visiting preacher in the Methodist church since it was completed a week or so ago.

For 11 innings, the Cape Girardeau Capahas and their ancient enemy, Perryville, Mo., battle for final supremacy of the baseball season; darkness is the final victor as the game ends in a scoreless tie.

-- Sharon K. Sanders