Out of the past 9/20/07

25 years ago: Sept. 20, 1982

Spokesmen for the three railroads serving Cape Girardeau say some freight shipments of other-than-perishable and time-sensitive items likely will be delayed as a result of yesterday's strike by train engineers; on strike are the Missouri-Pacific, Burlington-Northern and Cottonbelt railroads.

Large turnouts Friday and Saturday helped push the number of those attending the SEMO District Fair last week over the 100,000 plateau for the first time; approximately 111,400 people turned out for the fair.

50 years ago: Sept. 20, 1957

School superintendent L.J. Schultz announces that Cape Girardeau's public school teachers will be inoculated with Asian influenza vaccine as soon as a supply on order arrives; the vaccine will be administered under a plan being developed by school authorities and the Cape County Medical Society.

There has been a sharp drop in the number of traffic accidents in the Cape Girardeau area since the new state speed law went into effect Aug. 29.

75 years ago: Sept. 20, 1932

Girardeans will pay $8,425.89 less city taxes on real estate and personal property this year than in 1931; total real estate and personal property taxes this year will amount to $75,227.04.

Hoping to continue "for another 30 years" as a Cape Girardeau banker, W.O. Bowman, vice president of First National Bank, is celebrating completion of his first 30 years with that institution; when Bowman began his banking career, D.A. Glenn was president of First National, L.F. Joseph cashier, and Henry Coerver bookkeeper.

100 years ago, Sept. 20, 1907

The largest suit ever filed in Butler County was filed in the circuit clerk's office at Poplar Bluff, Mo., yesterday; it is the case of the matter of petition and articles of association and incorporation of the Little River Drainage District, with Otto Kochtitzky et al., petitioners; Louis Houck and others, who assert their lands, which are included in the drainage scheme, wouldn't be benefited and shouldn't be taxed for the work, are the defendants.

The immense Holly Matthews Cooperage plant at Sikeston, Mo., is destroyed by fire early in the morning; sparks fireworks started the blaze.

-- Sharon K. Sanders