25 years ago: May 21, 1981

The Jackson R-2 Community Teachers Association yesterday rejected a proposal to increase teacher salaries 5.5 to 8.3 percent next school year, choosing instead to submit its own proposal of a 10 percent across-the-board increase; the teachers decided to contact the Missouri State Teachers Association for assistance in determining availability of funds for salary increases next year.

The Main Street Levee District closes the Themis Street floodgate in anticipation of the Mississippi River reaching a stage of 36 feet; the river is expected to crest Sunday at 36.6 feet.

50 years ago: May 21, 1956

Richard Jones, a Cape Girardeau attorney, was elected state vice president from the Southeast Missouri area yesterday at the Jaycees state convention in Columbia.

Further extension of sewers in the growing northwest part of Cape Girardeau is implemented by the city council with approval of plans, specifications and estimate of cost for the expansion of sewers now serving the Golladay Addition; the new sewers will extend from the present trunk line to provide service along Cape Rock Drive and to Ranchito Drive.

75 years ago: May 21, 1931

A preliminary organization of the Cape Girardeau Garden Club was carried out last night; the club will work to increase the knowledge of home planting and beautification in the city.

Girardeau Fur Farm, a 10-acre plot of marshy ground on Highway 61 south of Cape Girardeau, which a year ago was populated by 200 pair of muskrats, is now a playground for about 2,000 of the creatures; owners of the venture recently added to their business by importing five dozen huge "Jumbo" bullfrogs.

100 years ago: May 21, 1906

The closing exercises of the public schools are held in the morning at Lorimier School in the large chapel; Prof. B.G. Shackelford gives an address, as does the state superintendent of public schools; it is announced that Violet Allen of the Jefferson School had won the prize offered by the Women's Relief Corps for the best essay on the American flag.

Only four members of the Cape Girardeau City Council show up for their regular meeting; after waiting for a half an hour in the hopes that another member would appear to give a quorum, the members vote to adjourn to the next regular meeting.

-- Sharon K. Sanders