Out of the past 1/31/03

10 years ago: Jan. 31, 1993

Annual Men's Day is observed at First Baptist Church, with businessmen of congregation leading worship services and assuming duties of church staff; event begins at 8 a.m. with breakfast for families of church, which is cooked and served by the men.

Jefferson City -- State Rep. Mary Kasten is sponsoring controversial welfare reform bill this session, which has been criticized by some legislators and social welfare groups for penalizing children and low-income families.

25 years ago: Jan. 31, 1978

Marybelle Mueller files to retain her seat as probate judge of Cape Girardeau County; Mueller, Democrat, has been probate judge since 1975; she served as magistrate of county from 1955-1956 and term as probate judge from 1957-1962.

Housing interest loan rates have been raised by one-quarter percent in Cape Girardeau, reflecting national trend which has caused widespread concern in housing industry; prevailing interest rates from savings and loan institutions are 9 1/4 percent with 25 percent down payment, and insured loans are at 9 1/2 percent.

50 years ago: Jan. 31, 1953

It is announced by Chamber of Commerce that Cape Girardeau Leather Mfg. Co., now at 817 Broadway, has signed three-year lease on quarters in building at 115 Themis, which is owned by C.A. Juden; building formerly was occupied by bowling alley; Ralph Edwards is president and Homer Yount is vice president of leather firm, which manufactures leather jackets and coats.

Biggest committee to ever solicit funds for any undertaking in Cape Girardeau, one composed of 408 people, will undertake to raise $250,000 needed to guarantee construction of new Catholic High School; committee will be made up of men from both St. Mary's and St. Vincent's parishes, 313 from former and 95 from latter.

75 years ago: Jan. 31, 1928

Foundation for all-steel building, which will house mills of Cape Silica Co., four miles northwest of Cape Girardeau, will be completed Wednesday, says D.C. Smith, general superintendent of company; 10 men have been busy during past several weeks on this first unit of company's building program, foundation of which is 24 feet by 76 feet.

Judge Jerome L. Cheney, justice of supreme court of New York, son of first president of Cape Girardeau Teachers College, and alumnus of that institution, will deliver commencement address to 1953 graduating class, May 23, announces president Joseph A. Serena.

-- Sharon K. Sanders