25 years ago: July 5, 1983

The body of a Cape Girardeau woman, Deborah Manning, 27, is found on a county road in South Cape Girardeau County early in the morning, the victim of multiple stab wounds.

Cape Girardeau residents celebrated a relatively safe and fun-filled July 4 weekend, highlighted by the 16th annual Cape Girardeau Jaycees-sponsored Community Carnival and Picnic; the event attracted about 10,000 people to the Arena Park for four days.

50 years ago: July 5, 1958

Girardeans celebrated Independence Day with a major display of ground and aerial fireworks at the American Legion's picnic at Arena Park; the picnic will continue tonight and will finish off with a Western Horse Show presented by the Delta Riding Club.

Having completed 47 years and 10 months' employment with the Frisco Railroad, Luther King of Chaffee made his final run as a conductor on train 807, St. Louis to Memphis, Tenn., on June 29.

75 years ago: July 5, 1933

Silas Holloway of Cape Girardeau narrowly escapes serious injury at noon at the intersection of Broadway and Sprigg Street when his Chevrolet one-ton truck crashes into the front of Bauer Bakery Co. as he attempts to swerve out of the path of an automobile.

Will Schultz of Whitewater celebrated the Fourth of July by snagging an oversized fish; the catfish, weighing 52 pounds, was caught in the Whitewater River on a small hook.

100 years ago: July 5, 1908

After disagreement and compromise in the consideration of many claims for extra payment made by the contractors building the new Cape Girardeau County courthouse in Jackson, the issues were amicably settled last week and the county took possession of the building; the total cost to the county for the building was $79,585.90, considerably higher than earlier estimates.

It is said that Cape Girardeau County had more picnics and celebrations this Independence Day than ever before; in Cape Girardeau, boats and trains brought in big crowds, who spent the time at the Knights of Columbus picnic and at the Electric Park.

-- Sharon K. Sanders