Out of the past 1/3/06

25 years ago: Jan. 3, 1981

The effect of drought conditions in the upper Mississippi and Ohio river valleys during the last half of 1980 has become evident in the lower Mississippi River valley in the form of extremely low river stages; however, a spokesman for the Coast Guard in Paducah, Ky., says that although low water levels from St. Louis south have slowed barge traffic, no part of the river has been closed for any long periods of time.

Hilda the runaway hog has found a new home; the 100-pound gilt that was found abandoned near Fruitland on Christmas Eve and was turned in to the Humane Society has been purchased by the Cape Girardeau VFW; she will be kept on the Keller and Huey farm in rural Cape Girardeau for fattening.

50 years ago: Jan. 3, 1956

Two candidates, first to file in the primary election in August, list their names with the county clerk; both are Republicans; first to file is Otto Sperling of Jackson, who will seek nomination for sheriff; the other to file is W.P. Crites, now a resident in Jackson, but formerly of the north end of the county; he seeks the nomination for county court judge of the first district.

Location of a new elementary school to serve the southwest section of Cape Girardeau is definitely established with the purchase by the school board of a 10-acre tract of ground on Minnesota Avenue; the land was bought from Walter H. Meystedt at a price of $30,000.

75 years ago: Jan. 3, 1931

After a lengthy session, in which the utilities situation in Cape Girardeau is discussed with representatives of the Missouri Utilities Co. and while visiting the company's properties here, the city council remains undecided on whether to accept the last order of the Public Service Commission of Missouri ordering the installation of a water filtering plant.

George W. Howard, who has taught school for 15 years, announces his candidacy for county superintendent of schools, to be decided in the April election.

100 years ago: Jan. 3, 1906

The committee of the Commercial Club, appointed to solicit subscriptions for the stock of the shoe factory which seeks to locate in Cape Girardeau, announced Tuesday that the $10,000 has been secured, and that the factory is assured.

The new residence of A.R. Ponder out on West End Boulevard is nearing completion; the roof is now on.

-- Sharon K. Sanders