10 years ago: Sept. 9, 1992

Rebuilding after Hurricane Andrew has created instant construction industry boom in Florida and Louisiana that is creating some far-reaching effects; rebuilding in hurricane areas will take lot of plywood, sheeting materials, lumber and shingles, say area building supply spokesmen.

Long-awaited, $1 million project to renovate terminal building at Cape Girardeau Municipal Airport should be completed by February; Airport Manager Mark Seesing gave Airport Advisory Board update on renovation project at board's monthly meeting yesterday.

25 years ago: Sept. 9, 1977

Aroma of cotton candy for youngsters and hay for livestock is in air, with opening of annual SEMO District Fair just four days away; Fair Board officials report everything is in place for five-day exposition, and expectations are for largest crowds ever this year.

Cairo, Ill. - Cairo has returned to normal after some tense moments last night, when gasoline tanker truck overturned, spewing its cargo into streets and sewers; truck overturned in intersection of 20th and Sycamore streets, near Alexander County Courthouse, and spilled about 7,500 gallons into street; firefighters from Cairo and surrounding communities spent about five hours hosing down gasoline and washing it from sewers.

50 years ago: Sept. 9, 1955

Still elated over "the biggest Monday the Fair ever had," SEMO District Fair officers watch exposition at Arena Park gain momentum and turn toward real reason for having a fair - judging beginning Wednesday of top quality animals, produce and other exhibits.

Nearly $4,200 has been contributed or pledged in Rocking Bed Fund drive, according to Jaycees treasurer, Dr. Francis Rigdon; drive was organized to raise $1,600 for rocking bed, a breathing device for polio patents, for polio ward at St. Francis Hospital; receipts almost tripled planning of Jaycees.

75 years ago: Sept. 9, 1927

Nearly 3,400 pupils are enrolled in Cape Girardeau Public Schools, at close of first week of new term; exact number is 3,296 distributed among following schools: Franklin, 497; May Greene, 565, Washington, 570; Jefferson, 183; Lorimier, 174; Central High, 599, and John S. Cobb, 180; two Catholic schools and Lutheran school have combined registration of 548.

Stephen B. Hunter, prominent landowner and capitalist of Cape Girardeau, while in Kansas City yesterday, announced he will be candidate for Democratic nomination for governor of Missouri; announcement, made to close Kansas City friends of Hunter, came unexpectedly to his Girardeau acquaintances, who have been urging him for several months to throw his hat into ring.

- Sharon K. Sanders