Out of the past 1/16/07

25 years ago: Jan. 16, 1982

An early evening fire yesterday gutted an apartment in Cape Girardeau's west end, killing the tenant who had lived in the apartment for less than two weeks; the victim was identified at Marshall Northington, 50.

State Rep. Jerry Ford of Cape Girardeau and state Rep. John C. Dennis of Benton, Mo., say they are opposed to the Missouri Division of Parks and Recreation enacting special use fees in state parks and agree consideration should be given to the possibility of conservation sales tax revenue being used to offset state park expense.

50 years ago: Jan. 16, 1957

An inspection team is in Cape Girardeau to view land being considered for location of a new federal maximum security prison; the team will examine a site in the north end Scott County just southwest of Ancell, in the direction of Rockview, Mo.; yesterday it inspected another Scott County tract a short distance south of Illmo.

The Cape Girardeau City Council will move immediately to secure bids for the repair of the badly worn guttering of Common Pleas Courthouse as a step in a city-county sponsored repair program of the historic building.

75 years ago: Jan. 16, 1932

The Missourian begins publication of a series of historic articles entitled "Stories of Cape Girardeau," written by Allan Hinchey; the first article deals with the explorations of Hernando de Silvera and Pedro Moreno.

Girardeans shiver under the combination of a cold wave and rain; although the weather forecast predicted today would be cold and clear, Girardeans go to work in a downpour; the temperature is 42 degrees.

100 years ago: Jan. 16, 1907

Plans are being made for the holding of a big high school athletic meet in Cape Girardeau this spring; the first annual meet was held at the Normal School last spring and was entirely successful, with five teams appearing on short notice and about 100 athletes contesting for valuable prizes; the meet this spring will bring together teams representing about 10 high schools.

Joe Wilson goes down into the swamps in the afternoon to sell a man some land, if he can find it.

-- Sharon K. Sanders