Out of the past 4/5/05

25 years ago: April 5, 1980

CHARLESTON, Mo. -- Former Missouri governor Warren E. Hearnes said yesterday he had "never before faced a greater challenge" than that of circuit judge of the 33rd Judicial District of Scott and Mississippi counties; he made the statement following swearing-in ceremonies which were witnessed by an overflow crowd of more than 200 well-wishers and friends in the circuit courtroom here.

CAIRO, Ill. -- The Alexander County Ambulance Service will start work under a new plan April 15 -- eight volunteers, two employees and one ambulance.

50 years ago: April 5, 1955

There was a severe hail storm in the Millersville area yesterday afternoon; visibility was limited for a short time, so severe was the storm.

Voters of the Jackson School District reject by a slim margin a proposal to issue bonds for school improvements, but approve a 25-cent tax levy and reelect incumbent directors; the $400,000 bond issue would have built a new grade school, improved the high school, constructed a grade school at Burfordville and made alterations at Pocahontas and Fruitland.

75 years ago: April 5, 1930

Twenty-seven children in the Kage School district, west of Cape Girardeau, will continue to attend classes at least another year at the antiquated brick one-room school house, which has been in use 50 years; a bond issue of $12,000 for a new building, which would have been more accessible to the children, was turned down at the election Tuesday.

Harvey McFarland and S.P. Reynolds of Caruthersville, Mo., both long familiar with land and drainage conditions in Southeast Missouri, have been retained by the federal government to investigate awards made by special commissioners in condemnation proceedings in Mississippi and New Madrid counties for the projected setback levee to be built under the Jadwin flood-control plan.

100 years ago: April 5, 1905

In a hotly contested race yesterday, W.H. Coerver upset M.E. Leming for mayor, being elected by just 15 votes; others elected were Willis Martin, marshal; Lafe Caruthers, city attorney; Rudolph Bahn, police judge; William H. Willer, assessor; Gustave Schultz, collector; William C. Bergmann, treasurer, and aldermen, Fred Kage, A.R. Ponder, Thomas M. Williams and Theodore Boyce.

Ed Hays was elected mayor of Jackson yesterday; others elected were John Macke, marshal; R.A. Priest, collector; Wilson Snyder, assessor; John Ritter, street commissioner; councilmen, Fred Elbrecht and E.G. Sibley, and school directors, J.E. Jenkins and W.W. Cramer.

-- Sharon K. Sanders