Out of the past 1/31/11

25 years ago: Jan. 31, 1986

WISER Inc., which oversees the operation of the Women's Center and Safe House, has installed officers for 1986: president, Janet Ruopp; president-elect, Linda Minner; vice president, Randy Saul; secretary, Marie Eddleman, and treasurer, Jane Frederick.

Judge Marybelle Mueller, associate circuit judge for Cape Girardeau County, has announced she will be a candidate for re-election.

50 years ago: Jan. 31, 1961

Federal District Judge Roy W. Harper names John D. Hux of Sikeston, Mo., as receiver and James E. Reeves of Caruthersville, Mo., as his attorney to take over operation of the privately owned Federal Grain Co.; the court action includes a restraining order preventing the company from giving away, transferring, selling or mortgaging any of its assets, and preventing removal of grain from its elevators at Morley, Vanduser, Oran and Bell City in Missouri and in Olive Branch, Ill.

Warmer weather and the combined thrust of ramming towboats and pressure from water backed up because of the ice have freed two of the major Mississippi River ice gorges south of Cape Girardeau; a third is expected to break up today or tomorrow.

75 years ago: Jan. 31, 1936

Subzero weather comes back to Cape Girardeau; the mercury sinks to 1 degree below zero, 4 degrees under yesterday's reading; the frigid wave in this district enters its ninth day.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issue a warning that the Mississippi River, frozen bank to bank here, isn't safe to walk on; the warning comes after scores of the adventurous and curious hike out on the mile-wide stretch.

100 years ago: Jan. 31, 1911

The Missouri Mattress and Glove factory is one of the busiest places in Cape Girardeau just now, as it rushes to fill orders; J.H. Caruthers, president, says the factory is working at full capacity.

A jolly party of young folks enjoyed an evening at the roller skating rink last night, chaperoned by Dr. and Mrs. C.B. Ruff; taking part were Ruth Glenn, Irene Pott, Clara Van Etten, Ramona Duckworth, Tirzah Meechin, Allene Wilson, Catherine Himmelberger, Dave Cunningham, Harry Gaines, John Van Etten, Gene Ruff, Tom Barrett, Bart Miller and Clarence Pott.

-- Sharon K. Sanders