Out of the past 7/13/05

25 years ago: July 13, 1980

Record-breaking heat and only scattered precipitation thus far in July is throwing a one-two punch at area livestock and grain producers; the state is running three to five inches behind the average yearly rainfall, and temperatures have hovered around the century-mark for the past week.

R.O. "Jack" Slaughter of Cape Girardeau is named district commander for this district at the American Legion convention held here over the weekend.

50 years ago: July 13, 1955

A bill just signed by Gov. Phil M. Donnelly opens the way for Cape Girardeau County rural residents to organize themselves into fire protection districts and to obtain equipment to maintain their own fire departments or to contract for such service; the new districts would be incorporated by the circuit court and would have the power to levy a tax to finance fire protection.

Gerhardt Construction Co., which was the award winner for construction of a new elementary school in Dexter, Mo., expects to begin work within the next 10 days, says J.W. Gerhardt; the firm won the contract on a bid of $248,278.

75 years ago: July 13, 1930

The Red Star Baptist Church, in its business session Wednesday, voted unanimously to call the Rev. W.E. Hicks as pastor again for the coming year; this will be his fourth year at the church.

The Rev. William Wittrock, pastor of the Hanover Lutheran Church on Perryville Road, preaches in the morning at Trinity Lutheran Church in the absence of the pastor, the Rev. F.H. Melzer, who is spending a vacation with relatives in this state and Illinois.

100 years ago: July 13, 1905

The Cape Girardeau Commercial Club recently received a letter from a man in Tennessee, who is looking for a location for an egg-case and general box factory; he is seeking a new location where he can get good shipping facilities.

A change in the policy of the Riverview Hotel will take place Monday; John H. Lyons, formerly proprietor of the St. Charles Hotel, will then take charge of the dining room at the Riverview, which business will be distinct from the hotel; landlord L.M. Culler will still have charge of the hotel and will conduct it on the "European plan."

-- Sharon K. Sanders