25 years ago: Nov. 5, 1979

The Southeast Missouri State University homecoming parade Saturday was reportedly marred for several high school bands when crowds interfered with band members as the marched; at least six band directors have reported that their students were grabbed, kissed, hugged, had their uniforms torn, and had beer poured over their instruments.

MOUNDS, Ill. -- Classes are canceled for 1,200 pupils of Meridian Unit 101 because of a water pump breakdown; the school is served by the Mounds water system, and one of two pumps in the system has been experiencing periods of mechanical failure since last Friday.

50 years ago: Nov. 5, 1954

Holding off until the last moment, workers begin to pour into the Broadway headquarters of the United Fund appeal to make their final reports, but officials say it will be necessary to carry the drive over until Wednesday for the final audit.

Delivery of a new Thunderbird, the Ford Motor Co.'s new sports-style personal car, is made to Dr. D.R. Seabaugh, Cape Rock Drive, by the Groves Motor Co.; the car is one of seven delivered to the St. Louis district office of the company, which covers six states.

75 years ago: Nov. 5, 1929

As a precautionary measure to prevent the outbreak of smallpox in Cape Girardeau, the board of health issues an order requiring all school children in the city to be vaccinated against the disease before Friday; there have been several reports of the disease in Jackson.

The Missouri Pacific Railroad has been granted by the Interstate Commerce Commission an extension to Nov. 30 to complete construction of the new road into Cape Girardeau from Illmo.

100 years ago: Nov. 5, 1904

Joseph W. Folk, Democratic candidate for governor, speaks to the people of Cape Girardeau in the evening at the Opera House; he spoke earlier in Jackson.

Unless the government fleet returns within a few days and makes hurried repairs on the fences it built out from the east bank of the river opposite Cape Girardeau, the work which took months to complete will be a total loss.

-- Sharon K. Sanders