Out of the past 5/27/05

25 years ago: May 27, 1980

Cape Girardeau's new emergency 911 telephone system goes into effect in the morning; the new system allows police dispatchers to trace emergency calls even after the caller has hung up.

A lack of bids on school bus insurance for the 1980 to 1981 school year prompts the Jackson board of education to advertise for bids a third time; two weeks ago, the board decided to re-advertise for bids after none were received, and Jackson superintendent Dr. Frank A. Wiley again today informs the board he had received only one bid.

50 years ago: May 27, 1955

Signs announcing meeting times of various service clubs and one church, which dot the parkway on the north side of Morgan Oak Street at the traffic bridge, will soon be moved under a plan initiated by the city and the Cape Special Road District.

Scheduled to graduate from the U.S. Naval Academy June 3 is midshipman 1-C Gerald L. Jones, son of Mrs. G.W. Clubb of Cape Girardeau; he entered the Naval Academy on a congressional appointment from Missouri in July 1951 after graduating from Central High School in 1949; he attended State College before going to Annapolis.

75 years ago: May 27, 1930

With the enrollment at the Teachers College reaching 753 at noon, the first day of registration for the summer term, indications are that the college will have the greatest summer term enrollment in its history; the total enrollment last summer was about 960, or 741 at the end of the first day.

Fire, which causes extensive damage to the rear of the building occupied by the A.H. Mueller Meat Market, 411 Broadway, rouses scores of guests at the adjacent Hotel Idan-Ha at 4 a.m.; smoke pours from the burning building and drifts through the open hotel windows, causing many guests to dress hurriedly and leave their rooms; the blaze is extinguished by firefighters before it threatens adjoining property.

100 years ago: May 27, 1905

The drummers are preparing to take their leave of Cape Girardeau after a pleasant convention; without exception, they are jubilant over the excellent time they have had, and only good words for the town can be heard.

The First National Bank served as a club this week; this morning, a crowd of young people were dancing on the smooth marble floor when the clock struck 2.

-- Sharon K. Sanders