Out of the past 7/26/09

25 years ago: July 26, 1984

Calling it "a grand idea gone sour," Southeast Missouri State University Board of Regents president Sidney Pollack announces the board's decision to abandon plans for a shared multipurpose facility with the city of Cape Girardeau; the regents will move ahead with plans for a scaled-down facility.

Gov. Kit Bond, in Cape Girardeau yesterday in support of Amendment 6, said he will seek a place in the private sector after leaving office next January, but he doesn't disclaim political plans the following year.

50 years ago: July 26, 1959

Trinity Lutheran Church will officially open Trinity Hall, the old Alt home, as a youth center July 31; the building has been equipped with games for recreation, such as a ping-pong table, shuffleboard, etc.

Members of the Maple Avenue Methodist Church worship outdoors in the morning at the Capaha Park grandstand; the Women's Society of Christian Service is in charge of a basket dinner at noon.

75 years ago: July 26, 1934

A measure of relief from the intense heat comes to Cape Girardeau and district after a new all-time record was established yesterday; rain in some parts of the district and the threat in others brings lower temperatures; the high yesterday here was 107 degrees.

Physicians warn that the extremely hot and dry weather could prompt an outbreak of typhoid; springs and streams in the area, hit by drought, may be sources of the infection.

100 years ago: July 26, 1909

Members of Company K and the Sixth Regimental Band return home aboard a special train from their annual encampment at Camp Hadley; the boys bring back a beautiful trophy cup, awarded to the company having the largest percent of membership at the encampment; last year the cup was won by the Jackson contingent.

Yesterday's rain has made farmers feel chipper, especially John Putz, foreman of the Jackson courthouse farm, whose melons and corn crops were beginning to feel the drought; Putz has gathered his first crop of gourds, which are on display in his office in the courthouse; some will be used at the Homecomers meeting for drinking purposes.

-- Sharon K. Sanders