Out of the past 9/28/09

25 years ago: Sept. 28, 1984

Zonta International president Annikki Makinen of Finland and Zonta's District VII governor, Edna Frances Deck of Saskatchewan, Canada, are presiding over the three-day district conference at the Holiday Inn; about 130 delegates are attending the conference.

Cape Mercantile Bank and Trust Co. marked its 80th birthday yesterday, announcing plans to establish a facility in West Park Mall.

50 years ago: Sept. 28, 1959

Construction on a number of building projects in Cape Girardeau and the area resumes following agreement on a contract by contractors with officials of Carpenters Local Union 1770; a substantial amount of work within the territory of the local was shut down last week as carpenters sought a wage boost and an agreement on a welfare fund.

Donald Walsh, who recently moved to Cape Girardeau from Helena, Ark., will be manager of the new Sterling Variety Store, which will open Thursday at 15 N. Main St.

75 years ago: Sept. 28, 1934

B.P. Eaton and son, Ollie, and Eaton's mother, Mrs. Sarah Lou Eaton, have traded a 20-acre tract they owned on the North Sprigg Street Road to Mr. and Mrs. Ephram Crites for a 450-acre tract near Burfordville, Mo.

A two-story rock dwelling is being erected on a farm five miles west of Cape Girardeau on the Bloomfield Road by Dr. G.W. Blackford; the building will have an exterior of limestone rock; Frank Hohler is the contractor.

100 years ago: Sept. 28, 1909

The Cape Girardeau City Council has instructed the city clerk to seek bids for paving Spanish Street, from Broadway to Independence Street, with creosoted wood blocks, and Broadway, from Water to Middle streets, with granite and wood blocks; it looks as if parties traveling the main business streets of the city may do so this winter without wading through mud.

H. Bussender & Son are breaking ground for the construction of a new handle factory; the plant will be located on the Frisco Railroad tracks in the north end of the city and will employ a number of men; Bussender is from Edna, Mo., and his son, R.J. Bussender, comes from Tamms, Ill.

-- Sharon K. Sanders