Out of the past 9/25/08

25 years ago: Sept. 25, 1983

Max G. Stovall has announced the sale of property at 1731 Broadway to M. and L. Investments Inc. of St. Louis; the property consists of a building that he built and originally leased to the Coleman Restaurant; the new owners plan to install a restaurant there featuring Mexican food.

Since opening nearly two weeks ago, the new Shoney's Restaurant on West Street, an avenue running west from the 2600 block of William Street, has daily accommodated nearly capacity crowds.

50 years ago: Sept. 25, 1958

Murtaugh Park would be lost if a proposed plan for the removal of the Main Street parkway between Merriwether and William streets is carried out to provide more parking space for the downtown business section; the park is home to memorials honoring the Rev. James A. Murtaugh, C.M., and police chief N.J. Hutson.

First Baptist Church will take bids Oct. 14 for construction of an education building it is estimated will cost about $175,000; the new building will be adjacent to the present church structure.

75 years ago: Sept. 25, 1933

The Cape Girardeau City Council has rescinded a recent order and granted permission to the Cape Girardeau Horse Show and Rodeo committee to give a performance at Fairground Park on Sunday, Oct. 8; permission to hold the event Sunday is tentative on whether plans for as baseball game on that date materialize; that date had been chosen for Dizzy Dean, when he and other major league stars were to appear here.

A new metal roof has been constructed on a two-story brick dwelling just northwest of Houck Stadium; the house was purchased recently by the Teachers College and is being reconditioned as quarters for a college caretaker.

100 years ago: Sept. 25, 1908

President T.M. Williams of the Cape Girardeau Commercial Club has received several letters from a St. Louis company which is looking for a site for its new paint-manufacturing plant.

While returning from Jackson at 3 a.m., Garrett Glenn and Will Bryan have the misfortune of having Glenn's fine driving horse fall into a manhole cover near Ellis and Independence streets; the animal goes in head first and, "owing to the uncouthness of its position," it takes about three hours to draw it out.

-- Sharon K. Sanders