Out of the past 9/4/05

25 years ago: Sept. 4, 1980

The Cape Girardeau County Court will reduce the county general revenue tax levy by more than half to offset 50 percent of the county sales tax revenue, says presiding judge Gene E. Huckstep; the court, he reports, will set the general revenue levy next Monday at 21 cents per $100 assessed valuation for this year; it had been at the 50-cent level.

Depending on the cost -- and who will foot the bill -- it appears the Cape Girardeau City Council will be split on a forthcoming decision on whether to eliminate the parkway in one or two blocks of South West End Boulevard.

50 years ago: Sept. 4, 1955

A new road leading from Highway 61 (Ten Mile Garden) to Old McKendree Chapel will be marked for use the first time next Sunday, when the annual preaching service will be held at the chapel in the afternoon; the road has long been open, but has been seldom used; recently, it was placed in good condition and now is in regular use.

Bob Porter, son of the Rev. Dale Porter, who was pastor at the General Baptist Church in Cape Girardeau two years ago, is guest speaker during the morning worship service at the church; Porter, who is studying for the ministry in St. Louis, delivers the sermon in the absence of the church's pastor, the Rev. Fred Latch, who is on vacation.

75 years ago: Sept. 4, 1930

Chester Smith, 22, was taken into custody around midnight, after police chief Jesse Crafton is informed that Smith had ridden a horse up the south steps of the entrance to the Common Pleas Courthouse Park, and then polished off a nearly perfect equestrian performance by riding the animal down the more difficult and longer east flight of steps.

The Cape Girardeau Bridge Co. closed August with receipts of $6,685.25, bringing the total tolls on the bridge since it was opened two years ago to $100,064.60.

100 years ago: Sept. 4, 1905

Labor Day is observed in Cape Girardeau with a big parade and picnic at the old fairgrounds, sponsored by the union men of the city; the weather is perfect, and the cool atmosphere made the day delightful for revelers; the one feature that detracts from the picnic is the poor hack service; hundreds of people are unable to get to the grounds, and many have to walk home.

The Knights and Ladies of Security meet in the evening at the Sons of Veterans Hall to elect new officers.

-- Sharon K. Sanders