Out of the past 9/9/01

10 years ago: Sept. 9, 1991

More than 300 people from four states yesterday took part in SEMO District Fair horse show; even with rain and lightening dampening fairgrounds, hundreds of people watched show; number of entries this year reached 344, says Donna Dockins of Jackson, show organizer; last year there were 277 competitors.

Lehman Finch, 75, prominent Cape Girardeau attorney and civic leader, died yesterday at Cape Girardeau hospital; Finch was senior partner of Finch, Bradshaw, Strom and Steele, which his father, James A. Finch Jr., founded as Finch and Finch Law Firm in early 1900s; Finch is survived by his wife, former Delores C. Drewes, four sons and three daughters.

25 years ago: Sept. 9, 1976

Right on target and none to soon, general rain preceded by strong thunderstorm early Wednesday night and continuing into today soaks croplands and pastures throughout region; rain at Cape Girardeau is recorded at .71 of an inch this morning, bringing relief to parched crops, gardens, pastures and lawns; it is first measurable rain in three weeks.

Special commission set up to study structure of Missouri taxes hears protests from several officials concerned over proposal to tamper with system; hearing, held in Federal Building, primarily winds up as forum for renouncing passage of constitutional amendment which would eliminate tax on sale of drugs and food.

50 years ago: Sept. 9, 1951

In meeting of representatives of schools of Big Eight and Little Eight Southeast Missouri Football Conferences, held yesterday at Sikeston, Supt. C.M. Bell of Hayti was elected president, succeeding Supt. A.O. Hilpert of Perryville; Supt. R.O. Hawkins of Jackson was elected vice president; at meeting, it was announced that Perryville High school will withdraw from Big Eight Conference and will join Mineral Area Conference for 1952 season; Little Eight Conference will play this season with only seven schools, since Risco was forced to drop from conference before conclusion of 1950 season.

Perryville - One of six Vincentian priests who are to arrive here soon from Holland will be assistant pastor of St. Boniface Church, and two others of group will be instructors at St. Mary's Seminary, according to the Rev. H.J. Hymel, pastor; Holland priest will succeed the Rev. Wendelin Dunker, who has been appointed pastor of Brewer Catholic church.

75 years ago: Sept. 9, 1926

Nearing the end of aggressive and well-organized campaign that is to guarantee Cape Girardeau traffic bridge across Mississippi River, committees conducting drive at noon luncheon announce investment of another $33,900, bringing total to $277,000; within 24 hours, Cape Girardeans are to subscribe at least $23,000 to put drive "over the top"; Chamber of Commerce is calling for celebration tomorrow evening to commemorate close of successful campaign.

Preliminary plans for construction in Cape Girardeau of new Southeast Missouri Hospital to cost $100,000 were approved by hospital board Tuesday, and architects were ordered to prepare final detailed specifications for new structure; hospital will be constructed in Sunset Terrace Suburb in west Cape Girardeau; it will be modern, fireproof building, with about 100 beds.

- Sharon K. Sanders