10 years ago: Oct. 17, 1992

Ste. Genevieve is one of 11 cities and counties in state that are running local option issues to allow riverboat gambling on Nov. 3 ballot; if they pass, local options will take effect only if voters statewide approve Proposition A, which would allow gambling on Mississippi and Missouri rivers.

Local taxpayers join in rally marking America's third annual Taxpayers' Action Day; about 25 attend event at Cape Girardeau County Park North.

25 years ago: Oct. 17, 1977

Previously undisclosed documents relating to Civil War fortifications at Cape Girardeau have surfaced in St. Louis area and will be offered for auction there Friday; 54 documents are among military papers of Col. Henry Flad, engineer in charge of construction of fortifications here for Missouri Volunteer Regiment of West.

Benton -- Scott County Court votes unanimously to tear down old "Dickie Taylor" building and construct new magistrate court building designed to resemble old county courthouse; construction of new building, which will cost estimated $150,000 to $180,000, must be under way by December in order for project to qualify for federal Economic Development Administration grant obtained for construction.

50 years ago: Oct. 17, 1952

Move initiated year ago to elect classroom teacher to head Southeast Missouri Teachers Association was again beaten down by organization's House of Delegates yesterday, when it elected Dr. A.C. Magill president over Milton Ueleke, science and mathematics instructor at Central High School.

Pending development of community shopping center on William street to be called West Side Village, embracing retail and commercial development and group of apartment houses, is announced by Oscar Windisch and Charles Schneider, owners of 15-acre tract; land is on either side of William street an approximately 400 yards east of Kingshighway; it is bordered on south by Good Hope and on north by Semo Salvage Yard and Rodibaugh-Cargle Lumber Co.

75 years ago: Oct. 17, 1927

Nearly 100 prominent St. Louis business men and engineers, interested in flood control and better river transportation facilities, stopped an hour in Cape Girardeau yesterday before continuing down Mississippi River to study first hand ravages of last spring's disaster.

Proposal to give Cape Girardeau additional railroad facilities -- connection with one of largest railroad systems in United States -- is to be placed before the people immediately; committee of Chamber of Commerce decides to hold dinner-meeting Oct. 25 at which proposal will be presented to town's business men.

-- Sharon K. Sanders