Out of the past 1/2/12

25 years ago: Jan. 2, 1987

In an effort to eliminate the long lines associated with purchasing Cape Girardeau's taxi coupons, the city initiates a new distribution system; chairs are set up in City Hall's gymnasium for senior citizens and handicapped residents; they are served coffee as they wait for their number to be called to purchase coupon books.

Bishop John J. Leibrecht of the Springfield-Cape Girardeau Diocese has appointed the Rev. John "J" Friedel as associate pastor for Immaculate Conception Parish in Springfield, Mo.; Friedel was ordained a Catholic priest last month in Florissant, Mo.

50 years ago: Jan. 2, 1962

Rep. Robert F. Hemperley, 34, files at Jackson for his second term as representative to the General Assembly from Cape Girardeau; Hemperley, a Republican, is managing partner of St. Louis-Cape Bus Lines.

Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Suedekum of Cape Girardeau leave in the morning on a trip which will take them on a cruise of the West Indies.

75 years ago: Jan. 2, 1937

Cape Girardeau hailed the New Year merrily, but in an apparent orderly fashioned; bells rang, whistles blew, horns hooted and guns banged at midnight; several churches in the city welcomed 1937 with prayers and hymns.

Construction is set to begin Monday on the new Lorimier School, says Supt. Louis J. Schultz; the school, to be built on the site of Old Lorimier, will cost $139,155, including equipment, fees, supervision and miscellaneous items.

100 years ago: Jan. 2, 1912

Guiseppe Campanari, the great baritone of the Metropolitan Opera Company in New York, will give a concert Jan. 9 at the Normal School auditorium.

Sheppard Cobb, principal of Lincoln School at Ste. Genevieve, Mo., married Bessie Mae Myers, principal of the Wooldridge, Tenn., high school, Saturday at Jackson; Cobb is the son of Professor John S. Cobb, principal of Cape Girardeau's Lincoln School.

-- Sharon K. Sanders