Out of the past 1/20/06

25 years ago: Jan. 20, 1981

In observance of today's release of 52 American hostages from Iran, a community thanksgiving service will be held tomorrow at noon at the First Presbyterian Church; the service will be sponsored by the Cape Girardeau Ministerial Alliance.

Dr. C. John Ritter, a member of the Cape Girardeau Board of Education since 1971, files to retain his seat; also filing for the school board is Roger Allgood, a Cape Girardeau resident who teaches at the Illmo-Scott City High School.

50 years ago: Jan. 20, 1956

A warming trend is expected to begin thawing the 7-inch blanket of snow Cape Girardeau is wearing, aiding the slowed traffic and congested travel on area roads; a predicted cold wave that was supposed to send the temperature down to 5 above zero fails to materialize, as the mercury drops to a comparatively mild 12 above.

Bids are being sought for the construction of a $200,000 two-wing addition to the Trinity Lutheran School building, 55 N. Pacific St.; the bids will be opened Feb. 17, and if one is approved, it is hoped that construction can be started by April 1; the expansion will give the school nine additional classrooms, a new assembly room, a bowling alley and free space in the present structure for other purposes, including a cafeteria, expanded office space and Sunday School rooms.

75 years ago: Jan. 20, 1931

NEW HAMBURG, Mo. -- Loss of approximately $3,000 was sustained last night when fire of undetermined origin destroyed a large barn, several head of livestock, feed and machinery on a farm belonging to the Little River Drainage District three miles west of here; the fire was discovered by Guy Slinkard and his family, who were awakened by the roar of the flames a short distance from their dwelling.

J.C. Webb, who is overseeing the job of removing the rails on the Cape Girardeau Northern Railroad for Sonken Galamba Corp. of Kansas City, Mo., says the work is progressing slowly because of intermittent bad weather.

100 years ago: Jan. 20, 1906

C.D. Tresenriter, editor of the Daily Progress, announces that the publication of that newspaper has been discontinued; Tresenriter found it impossible to secure competent and sufficient help and was forced to shut down the Progress.

Whit Dodge, formerly bridge superintendent of the Frisco Railroad for this division, leaves for Commerce, Mo., with his wife and daughter; they will live on a farm there and go into the poultry business.

-- Sharon K. Sanders