Out of the past 1/13/08

25 years ago: Jan. 13, 1983

Gov. Kit Bond announces he is recommending a state appropriation of $720,000 to finance the design of a $12 million sports, convention and concert facility for the joint use of Southeast Missouri State University and the city of Cape Girardeau.

Catherine Otto and James F. Hirsch say they will seek new terms on the Cape Girardeau School Board.

50 years ago: Jan. 13, 1958

A continuation last night of a wave of house burglaries, evidently the work of juveniles, prompts police chief Percy R. Little to urge homeowners to lock their doors and windows while they are away; three burglaries were reported overnight, and entry was attempted at several other homes.

ANNA, Ill. -- One of Anna's native sons who rose to fame as the creator of the comic strip "Moon Mullins" will be buried here with all the honors the community can bestow; the town received news yesterday that Frank Willard, 64, died in the Cedars of Lebanon Hospital in Los Angeles.

75 years ago: Jan. 13, 1933

ST. LOUIS -- Denver M. Wright, thwarted in his first venture to stage a lion hunt on a river island near Commerce, Mo., has acquired two new male lions, which he is housing in a garage near his home; he plans a second safari in Southeast Missouri in the near future.

At a special meeting of the city council, the mayor and three commissioners vote unanimously to match dollar for dollar with the Central Relief Organization, up to $2,000, to care for relief work the balance of the season.

100 years ago: Jan. 13, 1908

A special meeting of the Commercial Club and the Retail Merchants' Association has been called for this evening to discuss the consequences of the unexpected death this morning of W.T. Wilson, president of the former and member of the latter body.

A lot of the work on the new courthouse in Jackson is being redone; cement wainscotting in the courtroom is being removed; plans had called for it to imitate brickwork, but despite instructions, the finish was made smooth; others are relaying the tiles on the roof, and the cheap pine flooring is being taken up and replaced with maple.

-- Sharon K. Sanders