Out of the past 1/19/08

25 years ago: Jan. 19, 1983

The planned construction of a new Jackson post office may provide the solution not only to the U.S. Postal Service's need for a larger facility, but also for additional county office space, says Presiding Judge Gene Huckstep; he notes that the county might be interested in purchasing the structure for use as a government office building.

Cape Girardeans' snow boots are still in mothballs and snow shovels haven't seen action since last year; with winter well underway, Cape Girardeau hasn't had any measurable snowfall this season.

50 years ago: Jan. 19, 1958

The new pastor of First Pentecostal Church in Cape Girardeau, the Rev. J.L. Cathcart, has assumed his duties; Cathcart was formerly pastor of the Apostolic Pentecostal Church in Jackson for four years and built the new church there.

The annual Methodist Youth Fellowship Mid-Winter Institute for the Cape Girardeau District, being held at New McKendree Church in Jackson, draws a large crowd for all sessions; the two-day meeting is under the direction of the Rev. Robert Bingenheimer, pastor of the Illmo Methodist Church.

75 years ago: Jan. 19, 1933

An electrical and rain storm, accompanied by a high wind, swept Cape Girardeau and vicinity overnight, but no serious damage was reported; the only interruption of service in the city was when a transformer blew out, putting the 1100 and 1200 blocks of Broadway in darkness.

Beginning Friday, only two street cars will operate in Cape Girardeau, and these cars will suspend operation at 9:30 each evening, instead of at midnight.

100 years ago: Jan. 19, 1908

The anti-saloon crusade reaches Cape Girardeau; three big meetings are held to arouse church people to the fight the league is making against saloons; in the morning, the Rev. U.G. Robinson, state superintendent of the Anti-Saloon League, preaches at the Presbyterian Church; in the afternoon, a mass meeting is held at the courthouse; and in the evening a union meeting is held at the Baptist Church.

For the second time in several months, the Foreman & Corpet saloon in the Haarig district is burglarized; an old ax is used to open the rear doors this time.

-- Sharon K. Sanders