25 years ago: May 18, 1981

Residents of Oak Ridge are without a mayor or local law enforcement following the resignations of Mayor Samuel Herndon and Marshal Verna Cordia; Herndon cites a sense of "total apathy" among village residents as their reason for resigning.

A water ski program, musical acts to suit all tastes and a Tom and Becky contest will highlight this year's Riverfest, set for June 19 and 20; Cape Girardeau's annual riverfront festival is sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce through its tourism committee.

50 years ago: May 18, 1956

An association of Missouri and Illinois levee districts, formed in the morning at Cape Girardeau, adopts a resolution urging Congress to appropriate funds during its current session for a survey of interior drainage needs in member districts.

A handsome boxer, Arekay's Jack of Hearts, owned by Mrs. J.H. Kirby of Memphis, Tenn., tops a field of 244 canine champions at the Southeast Missouri Kennel Club dog show at the Arena Building to take home "Best in Show" honors.

75 years ago: May 18, 1931

Two women are among those who can lay claim to membership in The Southeast Missourian's "oldest club"; Mrs. Caroline Gloth, who resides at the Orren Wilson home on Broadway, will be 92 years old Aug. 16, and Mrs. J.B. Abernathy, who will be 92 years old Dec. 29, resides at the home of her son, S.A. Abernathy, on Louisiana Avenue.

Two almost simultaneous fires do extensive damage to two Cape Girardeau residences; the first blaze occurs at the home of Prof. and Mrs. Charles B. Lamb, 31 N. Pacific St., where flames gain considerable headway in the eight-room frame structure; a this fire is being brought under control, flames are discovered in the roof at the home of Mrs. Rosa Pape, 916 Broadway.

100 years ago: May 18, 1906

T.M. Williams, acting as secretary for the trustees of the Southern Metal and Manufacturing Co., asks that all subscribers to bonds for this company pay up promptly their first call of 50 percent made May 1; there has been paid in cash by St. Louis and local subscribers a total of $12,455; to date, $10,042.41 has been paid out for grounds, buildings and machinery.

Mrs. Bridget Quinn of Jackson dies at the Cape Girardeau hospital, where she had been for more than a year; she was 81 years old; her son, Hugh Quinn, is cashier of the Jackson Exchange Bank.

-- Sharon K. Sanders