Out of the past 2/21/06

25 years ago: Feb. 21, 1981

Six months after a group of Scott City teachers formed Southeast Missouri's first teachers' union local, the teachers and several state and national union officials meet in Cape Girardeau to make the move official; the new union, the Scott City Federation of Teachers, Local 4144, was formed when some of the Illmo-Scott City School District teachers became dissatisfied with the Missouri State Teachers Association.

A fifth name has been added to the list of final candidates for Southeast Missouri State University head basketball coach; Ron Shumate, a former head coach at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga, is now in the running.

50 years ago: Feb. 21, 1956

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- State and federal National Guard officials open bids here for construction of five new armories in Missouri, including one in Cape Girardeau; officials say contracts can't be awarded in less than 45 days because of technical investigations.

A contract for painting of the Cape Special Road District's traffic bridge over the Mississippi River, preparatory to its release early next year, was awarded Monday to Hartman-Walsh Painting Co. of St. Louis on a low bid of $47,842.

75 years ago: Feb. 21, 1931

Carl Gerharter and his truck have been procured to begin trucking livestock to Jackson from the vicinity of Shawneetown, New Wells and Pocahontas for shipment by the cooperative association.

Saturday afternoon delivery of mail may be abolished in Cape Girardeau as a result of the passage by Congress of a bill reducing the working hours of postal employees from 48 to 44 hours per week; while he has heard nothing official, Postmaster H.H. Haas says it may be possible the four hours will be lopped off on Saturday afternoons, thus making a city delivery possible only once that day.

100 years ago: Feb. 21, 1906

James N. Whitelaw, who was taken ill with pneumonia Sunday, dies at age 79; Whitelaw was one of the oldest residents of Cape Girardeau; in point of extended residence, he was the oldest, coming to Cape Girardeau in 1840 and residing here almost continuously since; he was associated for many years with the firm of Whitelaw and Garrett, general merchants.

Mrs. C.W. Desselmann, who lives on South Frederick Street, is having Z.R. Fuller, the painting contractor, redecorate her house both inside and out.

-- Sharon K. Sanders