Out of the past 5/6/07

25 years ago: May 6, 1982

Cape Girardeau County has received more than $605,000 in sales tax revenue the first four months of this year, amounting to an overall 4.38 percent increase over the same period last year.

Dejan Kocefski, the 7-year-old Cape Girardeau boy who was hospitalized since being found abandoned in his burning home April 13, has been released from Southeast Missouri Hospital and placed into a foster care home.

50 years ago: May 6, 1957

The circus is coming to Cape Girardeau; a contract has been signed with the Sarasota Circus by the Cape Girardeau Police Benefit Association for performances at Arena Park on May 24 and 25.

Ground Observer Corps units in the Cape Girardeau-Little Rock (Ark.) zone will end their 24-hour alert status on May 15; the U.S. radar screen has been completed, and GOC units in this 33,000-square-mile area will stand by on ready reserve status subject to call in case enemy planes are spotted by the automatic system.

75 years ago: May 6, 1932

Evidently ending a long controversy over the question of filling the Jackson postmaster's job, the Republican County Committee yesterday endorsed the appointment of Henry A. Illers, a World War veteran and merchant, for the job.

Offices of the city counselor and city attorney in Cape Girardeau will be combined, and the salary for the joint office fixed at $200 per month; the office will be filled upon the recommendation of Mayor Edward L. Drum; City Counselor Frank A. Lowry and City Attorney R.P. Smith will hold their positions until the appointment is made; the move will save the city $75 per month.

100 years ago: May 6, 1907

The teachers elected to teach the next term of the Edna public school are as follows: W.R. Farrar of Lutesville, Mo., principal; May McCutchen of Crowder, Mo., and Amanda Helderman of Cape Girardeau, assistants.

Bessie Baker is awarded the Oliver prize in essay at the contest held in the evening at the Normal School; competing against her are Laura Downs, Florence Machen, Beulah Frazier, Leida McNeeley and Elizabeth Ranney.

-- Sharon K. Sanders