Out of the past 9/4/11

25 years ago: Sept. 4, 1986

Local officials say a system of reversible lanes on Sprigg Street will be used to insure the smooth flow of traffic coming to and from events at the multipurpose building on the Southeast Missouri State University campus; in addition, reconstruction of a section of New Madrid Street should help prevent traffic problems.

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- Bollinger County Sheriff Januar Peters meets with county commissioners to discuss the sheriff's budget, following Peters' threat to close the Bollinger County jail because of a lack of funds; while the county commission hasn't refused to pay any bills, commissioners do point out that the sheriff's budget is running short.

50 years ago: Sept. 4, 1961

Labor Day. Retail businesses, government offices, banks, savings and loan associations, and the post office are all closed in observance of the holiday; intermittent showers put a damper on the annual Knights of Columbus picnic being held on the lawn of the K.C. hall.

Appearing before about 450 people last evening at Notre Dame High School, Bishop Fulton J. Sheen of New York City discussed the need for aid to the church's missions; the banquet was sponsored by the Daily Worldmissionaries, in cooperation with the Society for the Propagation of the Faith.

75 years ago: Sept. 4, 1936

Prospects that the two government nursery schools in Smelterville -- one for white children and the other for black -- will open Sept. 15 or shortly thereafter are seen as certain by Dr. D. Crockett, state director of government nursery schools, who is here for a conference with the local committee.

Mrs. Juanita Preston, catcher for the second-half champion Main Street club, has been selected as the most valuable player in the Girls' Softball League, as voted by the fans attending the final games of the season.

100 years ago: Sept. 4, 1911

Labor Day. Organized labor in Cape Girardeau holds no formal exercises in the way of a parade nor picnic; those wanting to celebrate the holiday attend the carnival at the fairgrounds.

P.L. McLaurin, a prominent businessman of Canalou, Mo., has purchased the Sarah E. Marchildon property on Themis Street, and is arranging to build an elegant home there.

-- Sharon K. Sanders