Out of the past 1/13/12

25 years ago: Jan. 13, 1987

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Dr. Edward Spicer, assistant to the president of Southeast Missouri State University, has been named to the Missouri Commission on Human Rights by Gov. John Ashcroft.

Officials with the St. Louis District office of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers say the navigation channel of the Mississippi River between St. Louis and Cape Girardeau is generally in good condition; there are, however, several trouble spot between Cape Girardeau and Cairo, Ill., requiring the channel to be dredged.

50 years ago: Jan. 13, 1962

A combination of low bids totaling $212,728 for elementary classroom construction was received yesterday by the school board, which is expected to make its decision on a contract Monday; plans are to construct eight new classrooms at Alma Schrader School and at six at Jefferson School.

Mississippi River boatmen are holding back on any all-out efforts to break through an ice gorge near Cairo, Ill., in hopes that predicted warmer temperatures and rain will do more good anyway.

75 years ago: Jan. 13, 1937

Fred Meyer, formerly fire chief in Cape Girardeau, died Monday at his home in St. Louis; Meyer also was a constable and deputy sheriff here; he left Cape Girardeau about six years ago.

Heavy cakes of ice, falling from buildings as the sleet from Saturday's storm melts, make Girardeans do some quick steps; warning signs have been put up urging pedestrians to walk close to the walls of structures; a heavy sheet of ice, sliding from the roof of St. Vincent's Catholic Church, takes a chimney with it.

100 years ago: Jan. 13, 1912

Manager Barnes of the streetcar company puts a big crew to work clearing the tracks of snow and ice; it's a daunting task, as the snow has drifted in spots up to several feet.

The frigid temperatures linger in Cape Girardeau; the mercury sinks to 12 below zero, slightly better than yesterday's 16 below; a number of families here are in dire need of food, fuel for heat and warm clothing; the Provident Association is laboring to supply their needs; the Indiana Lumber Co. has offered firewood for the needy, the Caldwell-Sherman Co. has offered clothing, and many others are offering cash and food.

-- Sharon K. Sanders