25 years ago: July 29, 1984

The Rev. Paul C. Bruns, an evangelistic missionary to the Bokyi people of Nigeria since 1965, preaches in the morning at Trinity Lutheran Church; Bruns and his family are one of two missionary families supported by the members of Trinity.

Ford and Sons Funeral Home, 118 S. Sprigg St., is building a third chapel at the east end of the property; the brick building will have more than 1,600 square feet and will provide seating for 165 people.

50 years ago: July 29, 1959

Under the sponsorship of the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce, W.R. NeSmith, a representative of the Cumerford Corp. of Kansas City, is making a survey of the community to determine general opinion on the need for an industrial development corporation.

The board of directors of the Cape Girardeau Civic Center decides to close the center temporarily until necessary improvements are made and additional facilities added; the Smelterville center closes after only a week of operation.

75 years ago: July 29, 1934

The Rev. C.H. Morton, pastor of First Presbyterian Church, preaches at the evening union service in Courthouse Park; a half-hour song service and special music is under the direction of W.J. McBride of Grace Methodist Church.

Dr. William N. Howard, 71, dean of the medical profession in Cape Girardeau from the standpoint of years of service, dies in the afternoon at his home, 422 Bellevue St.; Howard was a practicing physician in Cape Girardeau for 40 years.

100 years ago: July 29, 1909

Capt. William "Buck" Leyhe is expected to sign papers that will consummate the sale of the Leyhe property at Themis and Water streets to Ernest M. Hobbs; the secondhand merchant has occupied the property since a fire drove him out of the store building in the same block as his present location; a three-story building has occupied the site for years and, although it is in a state of hard wear, the consideration of $6,500 is deemed cheap and a good investment.

Mrs. Bertha Eckhardt returns from Chicago, where she was visiting her son, Robert Eckhardt.

-- Sharon K. Sanders