25 years ago: Nov. 3, 1979

Temperatures in the upper 40s don't dissuade spectators from lining Broadway for the annual Southeast Missouri State University homecoming parade; the parade lasts an hour and a half and features 124 entrants, including 20 bands.

Construction trades and building contractors joined together for the first time yesterday to form an organization aimed at promoting the building industry in the area; organizers view what will become known as SEMO ACT as a major step in creating a new labor image for Southeast Missouri.

50 years ago: Nov. 3, 1954

Republicans missed a clean sweep in yesterday's election in Cape Girardeau County by a single race, as almost 10,000 voters took advantage of ideal autumn weather to mark their ballots; Dr. A.C. Magill, incumbent representative, was the only Democrat to hold an apparent winning margin.

BENTON, Mo. -- In one of the only two contests on a county level in the election in Scott County yesterday, C.E. Felker, veteran Democratic officeholder, won by 1,106 votes over J. Don May, his Republican opponent, for county collector.

75 years ago: Nov. 3, 1929

Members of Trinity Lutheran Church celebrate the 50th anniversary of the dedication of their church; special services are held throughout the day.

Clarence Smith, 23, son of Mr. and Mrs. L.C. Smith of Cape Girardeau, drowns in the Mississippi River at Big Island, south of Cape Girardeau; Smith wades into the stream from the island in an attempt to recover a wild duck he had shot and presumably steps into a deep hole.

100 years ago: Nov. 3, 1904

The sale of farming property held by J.R. and J.F. Watson at their place northwest of Jackson this week was one of the largest ever held in the county; a big crowd attended, and everything brought high prices, a mare and colt selling for $307; Dave Talley of near Millersville bought the farm of 127 acres.

Ed. M. Poe receives an assignment from headquarters in St. Louis advising him to open up the distillery owned by Dittlinger & Rodenmayer near the fairgrounds next week; the plant's capacity will be 30 gallons a day.

-- Sharon K. Sanders