Out of the past 9/20/11

25 years ago: Sept. 20, 1986

Although it's only been in operation about six months, the St. Louis, Iron Mountain and Southern Railway, being operated by SEMO Steam Railroad, is on target to hit 15,000 passengers by the end of the year; the train runs six round trips each weekend with Delta and Gordonville destinations.

Rosemary Crisp of Marion, Ill., a generous giver of both time and money to Southeast Missouri State University, will receive the University Foundation's 1986 "Friend of the University" award.

50 years ago: Sept. 20, 1961

Ernest Robison, general agent here for the Missouri Pacific Railroad, announces Cape Girardeau has been made the terminal point for two diesels working a 24-hour-a-day schedule; heretofore, Gale, Ill., has been their terminal point, with a hotel and restaurant to provide for the crews.

National Jaycees president Bob Conger speaks to a crowd of about 400 Jaycee members and their wives at the Bootheel Rally; he urges the Jaycees to provide the leadership needed for victory over communism.

75 years ago: Sept. 20, 1936

The Knights of Columbus Hall was dedicated in 1936. This is the east side of the structure, facing the Mississippi River. (Missourian archives photo by G.D. "Frony" Fronabarger)

The new $25,000 Knights of Columbus hall on South Spanish Street is dedicated in an afternoon ceremony; the Rev. George A. O'Malley, president of St. Vincent's College, delivers the address.

A father and son occupy the pulpit at Grace Methodist Episcopal Church -- the Rev. George Northdurft and son, the Rev. Milton Nothdurft, both of the Iowa Conference and formerly of this community, are speakers.

100 years ago: Sept. 20, 1911

Tom VanAmburg of Greenville, Texas, and one of his assistants, who are civil engineers with the Cotton Belt Railroad, are visiting Mr. and Mrs. C.P. VanAmburg at their home on North Lorimier Street; Tom VanAmburg's father is a brother of C.P. VanAmburg and formerly was principal of Cape Girardeau's public schools.

Mrs. Thomas S. Baldwin arrives with her son, Thomas, and will remain through the week to be here with her husband; the pair drove through from Chicago in their automobile, coming by way of St. Louis; Capt. Baldwin will give flying demonstrations during the fair here.

-- Sharon K. Sanders