Out of the past 9/17/07

25 years ago: Sept. 17, 1982

After enduring threatening weather throughout the first half of the week, fairgoers delighted in a perfect day yesterday; moderate temperatures and no hint of rain encouraged a crowd of about 16,500 to attend the SEMO District Fair at Arena Park.

Deborah Mitchell of Cape Girardeau has been named assistant dean of students/student life at Southeast Missouri State University; she replaces Fran Williams, who resigned last spring.

50 years ago: Sept. 17, 1957

Budgetary limits are seen by the County Court as the curtailing factor in adopting a substantial list of county improvements recommended by the recent grand jury; the court discussed each item point by point yesterday, but on each the court is stopped by financial blocks.

Residents of Jackson will vote Oct. 15 on issuing bonds of $65,000 which will permit completion of the Jackson City Library; the building on South High Street hasn't been completed, the library service having been given in the basement quarters.

75 years ago: Sept. 17, 1932

A meeting will be held tomorrow at McKendree Church in Jackson, the public being invited, to plan for the preservation of Old McKendree Chapel; the old edifice, which stands about three miles from Jackson, is in very bad condition; a group of local men is determined to make a final effort to preserve it.

A 68-foot whale captured off the coast of California is on display in Cape Girar-deau; the specimen was brought here by the Pacific Whaling Co. in a 100-foot railroad car, which is parked at the foot of Broadway; the embalmed whale is in a plate glass cage in the center of the car, which contains a walkway around the sides for persons viewing it.

100 years ago: Sept. 17, 1907

Another lot sale in the two additions north of Cape Girardeau is being organized for Oct. 1; the sale is the result of the failure of a Cape Girardeau resident to make good payment for 36 lots which he purchased at the public sale a few weeks ago.

One of the Cole Bros.' Circus trains is somewhat wrecked at Oran, Mo., in the morning; one report says that six cars are ditched in the derailment; the circus played in Cape Girardeau yesterday.

-- Sharon K. Sanders