Out of the past 9/27/09

25 years ago: Sept. 27, 1984

With this year's record enrollment at Southeast Missouri State University, Capaha Park has turned into a parking lot for university students, say Cape Girardeau City Council members, who would like to see something done to keep students from parking their cars there all day.

The city of Cape Girardeau plans to sell its $5 million worth of multipurpose building bonds on either Oct. 9 or 16 to the low bidder.

50 years ago: Sept. 27, 1959

A.W. Zimmer Jr. is formally knighted as a member of the Papal Equestrian Order of St. Gregory the Great in a ceremony conducted by Bishop Charles H. Helmsing, D.D., bishop of the Springfield-Cape Girardeau Diocese, at St. Mary's Cathedral; the honor recognizes Zimmer's longtime interest and activity for both church and civic welfare.

The commission on education of Grace Methodist Church presents the new church-school building at 521 Caruthers Ave. to Bishop Eugene M. Frank for consecration at a morning service.

75 years ago: Sept. 27, 1934

Work on the reopening of a water well at Old Appleton, closed for more than 40 years, will begin Friday as a Work Relief project; three shifts, probably of five men each, will be employed for two weeks on the project; why the well was closed isn't known; it is about 50 feet deep, and is walled down to the beginning of solid rock; a pump will be installed.

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- The sixth annual Bollinger County Fair opens at Twin City Park with a favorable attendance.

100 years ago: Sept. 27, 1909

A fleet of torpedo vessels steam into the harbor of Commerce, Mo., in the afternoon; the ships are making their way north toward Cape Girardeau and then St. Louis.

The entire community is shocked to learn of the death of Edward S. Lilly, who died Saturday night; Lilly was born in Pennsylvania in 1851, the son of Joseph and Catherine Reily Lilly, who came to America from England; the deceased came to Cape Girardeau in 1871 and was in the hardware business for many years; he is survived by his wife, the former Miss Mary A. Albert, and seven sons.

-- Sharon K. Sanders