Out of the past 1/5/06

25 years ago: Jan. 5, 1981

Tenth District U.S. Rep. Bill Emerson announces he has introduced constitutional amendments prohibiting abortion and forced busing of schoolchildren, and has co-sponsored an amendment requiring a balanced federal budget.

The new Allenville bridge opens for traffic, following a dedication ceremony by Allenville area residents; the one-lane bridge over the Diversion Channel was completed before Christmas, but the opening was delayed until the steel superstructure of the concrete deck bridge could be painted; the span cost approximately $180,000 and was built by Rickard Construction Co. of Cape Girardeau.

50 years ago: Jan. 5, 1956

A midwinter drought that put a record squeeze on the amount of December rainfall -- a situation that has carried on into the new year -- has stimulated water hauling in the county to unprecedented proportions for this season.

An explosion shortly after 10 a.m. aboard a 40-foot yacht moored at the Missouri Drydock and Repair Co. south of the traffic bridge injures a drydock employee and sinks the luxury craft in the shallow water at the edge of the Mississippi River.

75 years ago: Jan. 5, 1931

Members of the Cape Girardeau City Council, representatives of the Missouri Utilities Co. and of a citizens committee are conferring with the Missouri Public Service Commission and the Missouri State Board of Health in Jefferson City as to the procedure to follow in solving the local utilities situation.

J.C. Webb, foreman of the Sonken Galamba Corp. of Kansas City, Mo., which has procured the contract of junking the Cape Girardeau Northern Railroad, reports his force of 12 men has brought to Jackson and stacked up in the railroad yards about 700 tons of the old rails.

100 years ago: Jan. 5, 1906

After looking about the city for a location for the new shoe factory, it has finally been decided to construct a building; two lots at the corner of William and Henderson have been bought, and contractors are now figuring on the building.

Two prominent Cape Girardeau lawyers have joined their interests, and hereafter a new law firm will be recognized by the bar; attorney Edward Drum, until recently connected with the legal department of the Frisco Railroad, and attorney John A. Hope have formed a coalition.

-- Sharon K. Sanders