Out of the past: April 11

1991

EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The space shuttle Atlantis lands safely in the morning after an extended mission that featured the first U.S. spacewalk in five years and the deployment of an observatory to study violent mysteries of the universe; Oak Ridge native Linda Godwin is a member of the crew.

The Missouri House approves state capital improvements bills that include $506,512 in funding for Southeast Missouri State University, $420,600 more than Gov. John Ashcroft had recommended; the money will be used to continue planning for a new business building, for construction of an elevator in the Grauel Building and for maintenance and repairs.

1966

S.P. Neal, who over the past 48 years has helped guide the business affairs of The Southeast Missourian -- while doubling at times as cartoonist -- celebrated his 70th birthday yesterday as well as the anniversary of his employment by the newspaper.

Paul G. Wolff Jr., a senior who will graduate in June from State College, has received a National Aeronautical Space Administration fellowship for $7,200 for doctorate-degree study at the University of Missouri; the fellowship was granted on the basis of scholastic achievement and on the recommendation of Dr. Harley D. Rutledge, head of the Department of Physics at the college.

1941

County Clerk Louis H. Schrader is served with a formal writ issued by Joseph A. Bauer, chief clerk of the State House of Representatives, ordering him to make a recount of all votes cast in Cape Girardeau County on Nov. 5 for the two candidates for governor.

It is announced the Cape Girardeau Jaycees have taken over direction of a campaign to underwrite purchase of approximately $1,200 worth of new street signs; the signs will be bolted on concrete uprights the city is making and installing at street intersections.

1916

The A. Ray Smith Dry Goods Co. opens its new ladies' store in Cape Girardeau in the morning; the first floor of the new store is devoted to dry goods, furnishings and novelties; the second floor, which is reached by a broad stairway, is devoted to women's ready-to-wear goods.

The Buckner-Ragsdale Co. has contracted with Parlow & Deas, architects, to make the plans for a new Cape Girardeau store building; it will be of fire-proof construction throughout and will be two stories; most of the second floor will be leased to the Cape Business College.

-- Sharon K. Sanders