Out of the past 7/1/05

25 years ago: July 1, 1980

Consumption of alcoholic beverages along Cape Girardeau streets and sidewalks will no longer be allowed if the city council accepts an ordinance tomorrow prohibiting public drinking; city manager W.G. Lawley says the ordinance is an outgrowth of problems at last year's Southeast Missouri State University Homecoming parade along Broadway.

Dr. Sheila Caskey has been reappointed acting dean of the School of Graduate Studies at Southeast Missouri State University through July 31, 1981.

50 years ago: July 1, 1955

June went out with an uncommon flourish and the Fourth of July, celebrated unscheduled and somewhat prematurely, came in with a distinctive "bang" and much color at a fireworks stand adjacent to the Hillcrest Drive-in on Highway 61 last night; occupants were sent scurrying for cover when one of the items on sale somehow ignited and started the explosions.

Twelve days remain in which a claim may be established to the $1,453.35 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the slayer of Bonnie Huffman; charges must be filed against the suspected murderer in that time in order for the claimant to be eligible for the reward.

75 years ago: July 1, 1930

Scott County cantaloupes are expected to arrive on the Cape Girardeau retail market the latter part of the week; county agent A.J. Renner at Benton, Mo., reports growers have made preparations for the marketing of these melons, and hundreds of crates of them will be ready for shipment within a few days; melons will range in price from 10 to 15 cents each, according to size and quality.

Final arrangements have been made for the reopening of Will Mayfield College at Marble Hill., Mo., for the fall semester on Sept. 1; a recent successful campaign raised $20,000, making the reopening possible.

100 years ago: July 1, 1905

A movement has been started by property owners living along the ravine in the south part of Cape Girardeau to proceed against the city for allowing private sewers to empty into the small creek; during the hot weather, the fumes from the creek make living in that part of town very disagreeable, and very dangerous from a sanitary standpoint.

Little James Shelton arrives home on the steamer Cape Girardeau; he is the youngster who fell asleep on the boat five nights ago and wasn't discovered until the boat had left for St. Louis.

-- Sharon K. Sanders