25 years ago: March 17, 1986

Steel framework of the student recreation center portion of the multipurpose building project is taking shape on the campus of Southeast Missouri State University; the recreation facility is slated to open early next year.

The Cape Girardeau Convention and Tourism Bureau is expected to spend almost $141,000 this year in efforts to attract conventions and promote tourism, budget figures show; the city council has agreed to allocate $145,000 in motel and restaurant gross receipts tax money to finance bureau operations this year.

50 years ago: March 17, 1961

Claude Stone, superintendent of schools at Doniphan, Mo., and a native of Bollinger County, becomes president of the Southeast Missouri Teachers Association at the conclusion of the annual meeting at Houck Field House.

EVANSVILLE, Ind. -- Southeast Missouri State's charged-up Indians bring down South Dakota State's jumping Jackrabbits 81-69 to roar into the finals of the NCAA college division basketball tournament; the team will meet Wittenberg of Ohio tomorrow night for the title.

75 years ago: March 17, 1936

Excavation for the basement of a dwelling for Dr. and Mrs. R.A. Ritter at 1257 Rockwood Drive began yesterday; the attractive structure will be of brick, two stories high, having nine rooms and two baths; it will include a two-car garage in the basement.

Ed Ossenkop, who lived in Cape Girardeau and attended school here, expects to move back here from St. Louis; he intends to open a plumbing shop in the north side of a building at 106 S. Sprigg St.

100 years ago: March 17, 1911

For the first time in its history, the Commercial Club has appointed a sports committee; its first work will be in helping secure a sure-enough baseball team so that Cape Girardeau won't be "cast down into the depths of humiliation when a team of hickory-bark peelers comes to town and carries off our scalps."

William M. Coulling, depot quartermaster for the Army in St. Louis, has given an additional order for 25,000 pairs of marching shoes for the Army to the Roberts, Johnson & Rand Shoe Co.; the company previously was given an order for 125,000 pairs of marching shoes.

-- Sharon K. Sanders