Out of the past 1/7/05

25 years ago: Jan. 7, 1980

LUTESVILLE, Mo. -- Broken combustion chambers in two suspended space heaters at the International Hat Co. here last week resulted in carbon monoxide gas leaks in the factory, causing headaches and eye irritations to some company employees.

Cape Girardeau County judges defend their plan for bridges at Allenville and Whitewater as a good solution to the problem, but concede they might consider other proposals; the judges make the comments to two Allenville residents who appear during court session in an effort to help solve the issue and avoid a split between the two communities.

50 years ago: Jan. 7, 1955

At the close of business on Dec. 31, Cape Girardeau property owners still owed their municipal government $41,835.54 in 1954 taxes, a report from the office of the city clerk shows.

Local enlistments into the four branches of the armed forces have about quadrupled since the announcement Jan. 1 that most veterans' benefits would be withdrawn for persons entering military service after Jan. 31; the announcement has caused a rush to enlist, local recruiters declare.

75 years ago: Jan. 7, 1930

At least a breath of the blizzard which is sweeping other sections of the nation should reach Cape Girardeau tonight, bringing sub-freezing temperatures.

City engineer E.L. Sailer is named permanent secretary of the city plan commission at its regular monthly meeting; he succeeds Charles G. Wilson, who resigned several weeks ago to become a member of the board of adjustment, a group formed to arbitrate building problems between the city and individuals.

100 years ago: Jan. 7, 1905

The new Diamond Cafe, which was opened yesterday on Main Street by Harden & Stafford, is a nice one.

Judge B.F. Davis is circulating a petition among businessmen asking the city council to take up the matter of building a 100-foot boulevard around the city; the proposed boulevard would begin at the river one block north of North Street, then west through Missouri Park, around the cemetery to Washington Street or Normal Avenue, running past the Normal School to the fairgrounds, then south to near the southern limits of the city, and then east to the river.

-- Sharon K. Sanders