Out of the past 9/20/05

25 years ago: Sept. 20, 1980

Cape Girardeau County prisoners may soon be dressing alike in bright orange, one-piece overalls and shower shoes if Sheriff Eugene Coombs has his way; on the basis of Coombs' recommendation, the county court has authorized the sheriff to obtain bids on prisoner uniforms.

First National Bank's new main office is scheduled to open by the middle of October in a temporary facility on Route K near Mount Auburn Road, just north of the West Park Mall site.

50 years ago: Sept. 20, 1955

The city council last night received a petition from seven property owners on Highway 61 asking that the sewer serving Rodney Vista Boulevard and contiguous area be extended to serve the section around the David Louis Motel at the city limits; the council asked the city engineer to make an estimate of cost and report back.

A Cape Girardeau Association of Life Underwriters, composed of life insurance representatives in Cape Girardeau County and a 20-mile radius, is formed by agents in the area, who elect Frank M. Casey of Lincoln National Life Insurance Co. as president.

75 years ago: Sept. 20, 1930

Harry E. Alexander, 50 years old, referee in bankruptcy for 10 years and a lawyer in Cape Girardeau for 28 years, died yesterday afternoon after suffering a heart attack as he was driving in his automobile to Oak Ridge; born near Fruitland, he was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Alexander.

New pavement on Highway 61 in Byrd Township from Williams Creek, seven miles west of Cape Girardeau, to the Cramer place, near the eastern Jackson city limits, is opened to traffic; only about a mile of gravel road must be traveled in the vicinity of Jackson to reach the pavement on the west side of town; this is the only unpaved gap between Cape Girardeau and St. Louis.

100 years ago: Sept. 20, 1905

The start of the street railway system may be delayed; while all the materials for the system have been shipped, it is learned that some things were shipped late.

A continued rise until some time tonight is the warning sent to Cape Girardeau by the government river forecaster; a rise of a foot and a half last night brought the Mississippi two feet higher here than it has been at any time this year, and all river records for September have been broken; the gauge stands at 27.25 feet, and it is expected to go to 30 feet before it starts to fall.

-- Sharon K. Sanders