10 years ago: Sept. 5, 1991

Dutchtown - Jackson construction company is low bidder for construction of seismically designed, Highway 25 traffic bridge across Diversion Channel, between Dutchtown and Blomeyer in southwest Cape Girardeau County; Penzel Construction Co. submitted bid of $3.6 million; it was one of three bids submitted for work.

Enrollment on first day of classes Tuesday at Cape Girardeau Public Schools was 4,274, down 13 students from first day of school last year; Supt. Neyland Clark reported on enrollment at meeting of school board last night; while total is down, some schools experienced growth; Alma Schrader, for example, has 40 more pupils this year than last, bringing its enrollment to 577.

25 years ago: Sept. 5, 1976

Twelve area residents, including two from Cape Girardeau, were among 466 students who successfully passed Missouri Bar examinations given last month; Cape Girardeans who passed test were John T. Lamkin Jr. and Charles R. Harrison.

Dressed in his police uniform and looking like proud father, Police Chief Henry H. Gerecke greets many visitors individually at dedication ceremony at new police headquarters; more than 2,000 persons turn out to tour facility; station was constructed at cost of $825,000.

50 years ago: Sept. 5, 1951

First canvas went up and temporary bleachers were installed in splurge of activity at Arena Park yesterday that set stage for week of hard work for personnel before opening next week of 11th annual showing of renewed Southeast Missouri District Fair; first tents belonged to Dick and John Redden, perennial fair restaurant men on circuit of top-notch fairs.

Loose fence post that plunged from trailer, knocking him from his seat on crawler tractor and beneath one of its tracks, yesterday killed James Slinkard, 20, of Millersville; fatal accident occurred on Otto Windeknecht farm near Iona School, about three-quarters of mile off farm-to-market Route V between Egypt Mills and Oriole.

75 years ago: Sept. 5, 1926

More than 1,000 persons attend second annual inspirational service conducted by Church Promotion Committee of Cape Girardeau at New Broadway Theater, practically all Protestant church of city joining union service; service is conducted by laymen, and no ministers are on program; invocation is offered by A.F. Deneke and benediction by Julien N. Friant; scripture reading is by James A. Kinder, while principal address is delivered by Dan Weigle, noted community service director.

Two of Cape Girardeau's pastors have returned from vacation; the Rev. H.C. Hoy, pastor of Centenary Methodist Church, and his family returned Friday after 2,700-mile driving tour of West; the Rev. F.H. Melzer, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, spent two months on tour of East, visiting Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York and other points.

- Sharon K. Sanders