Out of the past: May 15

1990

There's plenty of rain to go around, and some farmers are getting too much these days; Cape Girardeau County farmers are way behind, with only 11 percent of their corn planted.

With a parks tax vote just three weeks away, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board is stepping up efforts to tout the recreation improvements the measure would bring to Cape Girardeau. On June 5, voters will decide whether to adopt a 20-year, 25-cent property tax levy; the money raised would be used to pay off bonds to fund construction of a softball and soccer complex and a family aquatic center at Shawnee Park; the revenue also would be used to acquire additional park land.

1965

Plans and preparations, including painting and the checking of mechanical equipment, are being made for the opening May 30 of the municipal swimming pool. Memorial Day is the normal opening date for the swimming-pool season here.

Dr. Robert R. Hill, chairman of the Division of Education Psychology, State College, was honored for his 50 years' teaching experience at a dinner last night at the Holiday Inn. Hill will retire in June. As a surprise to Dr. and Mrs. Hill, their son, James, came here for the dinner from Palo Alto, California, where he lives.

1940

The long heralded mural for the Jackson post office has finally been placed in position in the lobby on the east wall. The canvas was installed Sunday by the artist, James Turnbull of Maplewood, Missouri, assisted by Dr. D.L. Finger, also of Maplewood. A cattle-loading scene, such as can be seen at Jackson every Wednesday, is the subject of the painting.

Gen. Lewis M. Means, commanding officer of the Missouri National Guard, is here conferring with members of the city council about the possibility of the Guard utilizing space in the new Arena Building as an armory.

1915

The Cape Girardeau Commercial Club went on record last night as supporting more city parks; the club unanimously expressed its support for a $60,000 bond issue, which would be used to purchase the fairgrounds, 200 acres at Cape Rock, the old fort site in South Cape Girardeau and some smaller tracts within the city.

It seems the city won't be purchasing a modern street-sweeping machine, despite the city council's support for such action; as one human street-sweeper stated, "Street-sweeping machines can't vote, and they can't line others up on election day."

-- Sharon K. Sanders