Out of the past: May 7

1990

A groundbreaking ceremony has been tentatively slated for June 29 for construction of a youth group home on the Southeast Missouri State University campus; the $1.19 million facility will be funded with bonds issued through the University Foundation.

The Cape Girardeau City Council votes 4-3 to rescind action it took at its April 16 meeting concerning Lexington Avenue; the move comes after about 40 people pack the meeting room, many to express disapproval the council's earlier action authorizing engineering work on the arterial street project.

1965

The State Highway Department's highway construction and right of way program for the next fiscal year includes Interstate 55 projects in four district counties, as well as primary and urban jobs in five counties; the state reports that landscaping along 39.5 miles of I-55 will be done from near Jackson to Interstate 57 south of Sikeston, Missouri.

Twenty years ago today, the guns went silent all across Europe as the Nazi war ended; in Cape Girardeau, there was no wild celebration, as the news was seen as uncertain; The Missourian newspaper at the time reminded readers that the war was "only half won"; Girardeans did celebrate V-E Day on May 8, 1945, with a general suspension of business and classes.

1940

Under the direction of Mayor Hinkle Statler, the hauling of chairs to the Arena Building begins; every available chair in town will be secured; it is hoped to get 2,000 seats, which, with the park benches and the regular bleachers, will accommodate 3,500 people for the Gen. Evangeline Booth meeting May 14.

Pete Reed has leased buildings at Ancell from Harry Hindman, who has been operating the tavern as Peaceful Grove; under the new management, the place will be known as Reed's Tavern; Reed plans on having a free dance there Wednesday night, with the Red Peppers orchestra furnishing the music.

1915

The first events in the 10th annual revival of the Southeast Missouri High School Athletic and Oratorical Contests occur at the Normal School in the afternoon; declamatory contests take the stage today; tomorrow, should the weather cooperate, athletic trials will begin at the fairgrounds.

As predicted, the sale of the Mertens property at Broadway and Sprigg Street to Fred Braun by the sheriff Tuesday is held up; Mertens appears in the County Court at Jackson with his attorney, Wilson Cramer, and offers to pay all the claims against the property, presenting a bond for $5,000; however, the court decides that it isn't satisfactory and sets aside Mertens' petition.

-- Sharon K. Sanders