Out of the past 9/15/09

25 years ago: Sept. 15, 1984

Two concerts by Mel Tillis help bolster attendance at the SEMO District Fair; fair board chairman Joe W. Smith expects the attendance to top the 110,000 mark for the week.

Area residents get their first look at the legendary Black Forest Villages, constructed by the late Burton J. Gerhardt, as the numerous antiques of New Hanover and Arnsburg are opened for public viewing before Tuesday's auction.

50 years ago: Sept. 15, 1959

Bright blue skies, a slight breeze, warm weather and prospects for a cool, comfortable evening spell early success for the opening of the SEMO District Fair at Arena Park; tonight's program will consist of a queen of the fair crowning.

Cape Girardeau city commissioners yesterday agreed to vacate an alley entering into West Broadway, but, faced with signatures of 69 property owners on the street, refused to take action that would have allowed construction of a filling station at the corner of Broadway and Penny Avenue.

75 years ago: Sept. 15, 1934

The new Kroger store opens on Main Street; in erecting a new building for the store, Louis Hecht had a narrow space left, which he made into a suitable place for a barber shop; it is occupied by Vivian "Jitney" Dyer.

Getting into a faster swing, the government beef cannery on West End Boulevard sealed about 11,000 cans of meat and broth yesterday.

100 years ago: Sept. 15, 1909

Brothers Malcolm P. and Walter U. Post, late of the Post Pipe Co. at Texarkansa, Texas, will build and operate a large drain tile manufacturing plant at Commerce, Mo.; they have secured a 90-acre tract at that river town.

Mrs. L.F. Klostermann is making some improvements on her property on Lorimier Street, near the courthouse square, having built a fine concrete wall; she is also having a large brick apartment house built.

-- Sharon K. Sanders