Out of the past 7/1/09

25 years ago: July 1, 1984

A canoe trip by three young South Dakota men down the Mississippi River to raise funds for the fight against cancer comes to an abrupt halt when their canoe and other belongings are stolen from beneath the Mississippi River bridge here.

Property at 239 N. Middle St., formerly occupied by the Chase House, a restaurant, has been purchased by Wilbur and Delores Luton of Cape Girardeau; the new owners plan to renovate the two-story dwelling and provide rental apartments.

50 years ago: July 1, 1959

A rescue involving members of the Cape Girardeau fire and police departments, auxiliary police, the county sheriff's office and other citizens unfolded before scores of spectators last night as rescuers sought to prevent a man from jumping off the top of the 90-foot tall Mississippi River bridge; nearly two hours later, the Illmo man was lowered to the ground by a rope after he was found lying unconscious on a horizontal steel beam.

Articles of incorporation are filed by two Cape Girardeau businesses: Rigdon Cleaners Inc., 22 N. Sprigg St., and Lohmann Supply Co., 2300 S. Sprigg St.

75 years ago: July 1, 1934

The first of the union religious services at Courthouse Park for the summer is held in the evening; the Rev. Ira D. Crewdson, pastor of First Christian Church, delivers the sermon.

Julien N. Friant, right-hand man in Washington for Secretary of Agriculture Henry A. Wallace and Postmaster General James Farley, got a warm reception when he arrived in Cape Girardeau late yesterday; after a brief visit with his mother and sister, he leaves today for Washington.

100 years ago: July 1, 1909

Hugh R. Quinn, 53, a leading resident of Jackson, died last night; for nearly a quarter of a century he lived in Jackson, having begun work there as a harness maker; afterward, he became connected with a Jackson newspaper, and later still promoted the Jackson Exchange Bank and was its cashier.

E.F. Vaeth, a brother of professor J.A. Vaeth, has been appointed to succeed J.M. Sitze at the Normal School; Sitze resigned to take an interest in a business college in the East.

­-- Sharon K. Sanders