Out of the past 7/20/09

25 years ago: July 20, 1984

The Cape Girardeau City Council's decision to place the multipurpose building on the Southeast Missouri State University campus has prompted a tax protest from local restaurant and motel operators who don't want their gross receipts taxes paying off the city's $5 million bond issue for the project.

The Mississippi River, closed since yesterday morning's towboat accident south of Cape Girardeau, may reopen to limited barge traffic later today.

50 years ago: July 20, 1959

Masonic ceremonies for the cornerstone laying at the new Alma Schrader School have been postponed to allow Judge Robert L. Aronson of St. Louis, grand master of the Missouri Grand Lodge, to officiate; the dedication will be Aug. 9.

BENTON, Mo. -- Mayor C.E. "Daddy" Felker wins another delay in his effort to forestall an election to select councilmen under the council-manager government adopted by Sikeston, Mo., voters April 7.

75 years ago: July 20, 1934

Forty-five unemployed men are put to work in Cape Girardeau on two projects; the projects are resurfacing of a block of Louisiana Avenue between Jefferson Avenue and Bloomfield Street and leveling ground on the State College campus formerly occupied by the Missouri Utilities Co. reservoir, where tennis courts will be constructed.

Missouri, like the rest of the Midwest, looks in vain for relief from intense heat; in Cape Girardeau, the temperature hits 103 degrees by 2 p.m.; Cape Girardeau County is experiencing the hottest July in 11 years.

100 years ago: July 20, 1909

President William Howard Taft will be asked to stop at Cape Girardeau on his way down the Mississippi River this fall; it is believed Rep. Charles A. Crow of Caruthersville, Mo., and Secretary of Commerce and Labor Charles Nagel of St. Louis will persuade Taft to stop here.

The work of paving Main, Themis and Independence streets was delayed again last night; property holders are protesting the changing of street grades and the use of creosoted wood blocks for the paving.

-- Sharon K. Sanders