Out of the past 1/31/08

25 years ago: Jan. 31, 1983

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Perry County Sheriff Franklin "Dutch" Schmidt is spending his time these days fighting the county court; Schmidt is unhappy with the court's decision to dramatically slash his proposed $383,738 sheriff's department budget for this year; the budget included a request to purchase an $85,000 helicopter.

Linda L. Minner has been named winner of the local Outstanding Young Woman of the Year contest sponsored annually by the Cape Girardeau Jacycee Wives and Jaycee Women of Missouri.

50 years ago: Jan. 31, 1958

While St. Louis is busy digging out from under 8 inches of snow, bus drivers arriving here from the north say it is snowing as far south as Perry County.

It is learned that work will continue on the Main Street flood-control program; activity was to have terminated today under a government order halting civil works so the nation's debt limit wouldn't be exceeded; however, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and contractors have arranged to continue the work, with payment coming in the next fiscal year.

75 years ago: Jan. 31, 1933

The Rev. Emmitt Cross has resigned as pastor of the Baptist Church in Jackson; a group -- largely from the Baptist congregation -- has formed a new church body, and Cross has been called as minister; several differences, including a controversy over whether the Bible or church literature should be used in conducting Sunday School and BYPU services, gave rise to the formation of the new congregation.

Dr. M.H. Shelby says after March 1 he will have offices in the Joe L. Moseley Building, Broadway and Ellis Street.

100 years ago: Jan. 31, 1908

The Republican convention at Jackson tomorrow can be attended easily by delegates from all parts of the county; the Cape and Chester Railroad has arranged to run a special train to Jackson, leaving Cape Girardeau at 11:30 a.m.

Dr. C.E. Schuchert and Nicholas LaCroix are hoping to organize an orchestra in Cape Girardeau; the doctor is a cornetist equal to the best; LaCroix is a trombone player of exceptional ability, although his forte is the base violin; other likely members are Eugene St. Avit, traps; Rudolph Bahn, violin, and F.E. Becker, flute and piccolo.

-- Sharon K. Sanders