Out of the past 9/20/10

25 years ago: Sept. 20, 1985

The Cape Girardeau School District is among school districts throughout Missouri participating in a new program this fall that is aimed at making the most of a child's first three years; "Parents as First Teachers" is a voluntary program.

A small wooden trunk used during the Revolutionary War to carry money to George Washington has been placed in the permanent collection of the University Museum; the box was presented to the university by Jane Curry of Bloomfield, Mo.

50 years ago: Sept. 20, 1960

Fire doors and a concrete floor on the second floor of the Idan-Ha Hotel's west wing prevent a fire in the Rainbow Room in the hotel building from spreading to the 112-room structure and creating a major disaster; the cocktail lounge is heavily damaged.

The Cape Girardeau School Board last night authorized its building and grounds committee to secure a one-year option on a 15-acre tract of ground on the Schonhoff property on Bertling Street as the possible location of a future new school.

75 years ago: Sept. 20, 1935

An educational camp for girls, to be attended by 25 for a period of eight weeks, is opened at Marble Hill, Mo., by the National Youth Administration and the Federal Emergency Relief Administration; five of the girls are from Cape Girardeau; the camp will be in buildings formerly used by Will Mayfield College.

Division superintendent J.S. McMillan of the Frisco Railroad announces plans for the operation of a "Golden Troopers Special" to leave Cape Girardeau at 7 a.m. Sunday for the national American Legion convention in St. Louis; the special will carry the Legion drum and bugle corps, its equipment, other Legionnaires and boosters of the defending state champions.

100 years ago: Sept. 20, 1910

Harry Smith and family have moved to Cape Girardeau from Laflin, Mo.; Smith, a well-known painter, formerly lived here.

A large crowd greets David R. Francis when he speaks at the Common Pleas Courthouse in the evening, there being many Republicans in the audience to listen to the distinguished gentleman; Francis is a candidate for the Democratic senatorial nomination.

-- Sharon K. Sanders