Out of the past 6/5/09

25 years ago: June 5, 1984

The flame that has symbolized the glory and pageantry of the Olympic Games since 776 B.C. passes through the area to sounds of cheers and the click of camera shutters; the Olympic torch, en route from New York to Los Angeles for the summer games, draws large crowds along a route including Benton, Kelso, Scott City, Cape Girardeau, Jackson, and on northward to Ste. Genevieve.

A $688,313 estimate for construction of a new county office building, which is being considered on a site adjacent to the current courthouse in Jackson, was received yesterday by the Cape Girardeau County Court.

50 years ago: June 5, 1959

First Federal Savings & Loan Association has acquired the old Opera House building at the northwest corner of Broadway and Lorimier Street; it has plans for the site's eventual development into a parking lot to serve customers; a lease on the building, held by the present tenant, has 5 1/2 years more to run.

The first box of Crackerjack to be sold by the Breakfast Optimist Club goes to Jack L. Oliver, president of the Lions Club; proceeds from the sale of Crackerjack will go to the club's boys work activities in the year ahead.

75 years ago: June 5, 1934

Donkey baseball, the new diamond fad which has enjoyed a popular sweep through the South and has reached other parts of the sporting nation, is coming to Cape Girardeau: the Louis K. Juden Post, American Legion, has contracted with a Texas man for two games of the sport.

A platform is constructed on the bandstand at Courthouse Park for use by the municipal band at its weekly concert, making musicians more visible to concert-goers.

100 years ago: June 5, 1909

A few months ago, the Cape Girardeau County Court reinstituted the rock pile for the benefit of miscreants who have been idling in the county jail for petty offenses; those who refuse to tackle the large stone with hammers are locked in their cells with only bread and water as delicacies.

The Cape Girardeau School Board last night elected E.L. Maxwell principal of the Jefferson School; despite several ballots, board members couldn't decide on a school superintendent.

-- Sharon K. Sanders