Out of the past 1/30/05

25 years ago: Jan. 30, 1980

The unseasonable winter weather changes for the worse, but few are complaining; the area's first winter storm arrives with 1 1/2 inches of snow and light freezing rain that shuts down most schools in Southern Illinois and Southeast Missouri, with the exception of Cape Girardeau.

The $50-per-month anniversary pay raise for commissioned deputies approved just last week by the Cape Girardeau County Court has been rescinded as a result of a decision reached yesterday by circuit court judges Stanley A. Grimm and A.J. Seier and members of the county court; the concept of an anniversary pay raise was abolished because it was too confusing to administer.

50 years ago: Jan. 30, 1955

Fire, originating around the flue in the attic of the building, early last night destroyed the structure occupied by the Delta Tavern in Delta, which was operated by Ned and Joe Menz; the building, owned by Mrs. L.A. Defore, was insured, but the tavern equipment wasn't covered.

Heavy blocks of ice, sharp as razors and strong as steel beams, slashed the bottom out of the boat used by Cape Boat Service yesterday; Sidney Jackson, operator of the service, says the ice tore into the starboard bow of the small craft, causing it to sink; then new ice blocks tore into the superstructure.

75 years ago: Jan. 30, 1930

DEXTER, Mo. -- Charles Heiligman of Dupo, Ill., a freight conductor, was instantly killed this morning when the fast northbound Cotton Belt passenger train crashes into the rear of a Missouri Pacific freight train on the Cotton Belt tracks three miles north of here.

W.C. Bahn of Bahn Bros. Hardware Co. store, 10 N. Main St., has been elected to membership on the board of directors of the Missouri Retail Hardware Association.

100 years ago: Jan. 30, 1905

At the regular monthly meeting of the school board, an additional teacher is provided for the new Jefferson School; the teaching force of the new school has been unable to take care of the number of pupils that appeared for instruction last week; the new teacher is Jennifer McKee.

The new dormitory for young women at the Normal School will be ready for tenancy March 1, says M.E. Leming.

-- Sharon K. Sanders