25 years ago: June 2, 1981

Two Cape Girardeau County jail trusties who escaped from a County Farm Park detail yesterday are back in custody; the 17-year-old escapees are captured shortly after 10 a.m. by Cape Girardeau police at the home of a friend of one of the boys.

Impending sale of the Sunny Hill motel and restaurant facilities at 45 S. West End Boulevard by L.C. Blattner Jr. to Mr. and Mrs. Michael Ponder is announced.

50 years ago: June 2, 1956

Dollar value of construction in Cape Girardeau in the first five months of 1956 has almost doubled the total for the highest amount on record for a full year; city building records through the month of May report construction totaling $4,472,735; the 12-month record, set in 1954, was $2,859,492.

Leon Haman has purchased the Cofer's Clothing Store, 636 Good Hope St., from Charles N. Cofer, who established the store 41 years ago; it will continue to operate at the same location.

75 years ago: June 2, 1931

Breaking all previous first-day enrollment records, 824 students register at the Teachers College for the 10-week summer term; there are 144 more students enrolled this term than entered the first day last summer.

Construction of a football field immediately in front of the grandstand at Fairground Park for use during the coming season by Central High School was discussed yesterday with the city council by B. Hugh Smith, a member of the Cape Girardeau school board; Smith said the board has been unable to reach a satisfactory arrangement with the Teachers College for use of Houck Field Stadium for games during the coming season, claiming the college wants more of the gate receipts than the high school can afford to give.

100 years ago: June 2, 1906

Postmaster E.W. Flentge, returning to Cape Girardeau last night somewhat as a conqueror, was greeted at the train station with a brass band and a crowd of loyal supporters numbering several hundred; Flentge is the Republican nominee from this county for the state railroad and warehouse commission.

The steamer Saltillo, down from St. Louis recently, made a landing at the Southern Metal and Manufacturing Co. plant, below Cape Girardeau; that community has taken the name Leadville and is now recognized by the boats as a port on the Mississippi River.

-- Sharon K. Sanders