25 years ago: May 31, 1981

The Rev. John Swain is the new pastor of the First General Baptist Church of Cape Girardeau; he and his family will move to Cape Girardeau tomorrow, and he will begin his pastoral duties June 7.

Trinity Lutheran Church's Ladies' Senior Aid, or the Sewing Society, as it is sometimes known, was organized May 25, 1866; this week, the women celebrated their 115th anniversary with a luncheon and another quilting day to add to their already long record.

50 years ago: May 31, 1956

An impressive stone grotto, a religious shrine dedicated to Mary, the mother of Christ, has been completed at St. Vincent's College after 2 1/2 years of sweat and toil by students and faculty of the historic school; it stands on the main college hill looking toward the Mississippi River.

T. Kurre Allen, 51, died unexpectedly yesterday at his home in Jackson; he had been associated with McCombs Furniture and Undertaking Co. since 1939, and in 1943 became a co-owner with partners B.A. Meyer and Perry Grindstaff; he was president of the Jackson School District Board of Education.

75 years ago: May 31, 1931

Memorial Day. The war dead are fittingly honored in the afternoon, with the first part of the program taking place at Common Pleas Courthouse Park and the second at Old Lorimier Cemetery; a Municipal Band concert starts off the observance and is followed by an address by Dean R.S. Douglass; a bronze tablet dedicated to the memory of Dr. C.E. Schuchert is unveiled at the park; a parade then forms and marches to the cemetery.

Clarence Mudd, 924 N. Blvd., has been employed by the city of Cape Girardeau as special motorcycle officer for a 30-day trial period.

100 years ago: May 31, 1906

The Cape Girardeau Board of Education decides to build its new school house in the western part of town; the site lies at the corner of Benton Street and Broadway and is known as the Rabich property; that site wins over the Minton property, near Lorimier Cemetery.

Martin Oberheide signs an agreement for his Capahas to play the Maddenville Greys of St. Louis on Sunday; the Greys are said to be one of the strongest semi-amateur teams in St. Louis.

-- Sharon K. Sanders