Out of the past 1/7/08

25 years ago: Jan. 7, 1983

Traffic at the intersection of Frederick and Independence streets is obstructed for about an hour while a Missouri Pacific Railroad crew repairs tracks just east of the intersection; a Mo-Pac locomotive, pulling a boxcar and a caboose, derailed near the Mo-Pac depot about 9 a.m.

In lieu of making a financial contribution to the Southeast Missouri Regional Crime Lab this year, the city of Cape Girardeau has assigned Patrolman David Warren to work in the lab, an assignment Warren said he is looking forward to.

50 years ago: Jan. 7, 1958

Extension of the city limits and the possible widening of Broadway from Lorimier Street west to Frederick Street as a new storm sewer is constructed took up a major part of this morning's city council meeting; it has been suggested that the width of the sidewalks be reduced in order to widen the street.

Firefighters, working in subfreezing temperature and light snow, fight a stubborn fire in the warehouse division of the Walther Furniture Store at 502 Broadway; after a battle of more than an hour, firefighters begin to get the blaze under control early in the afternoon.

75 years ago: Jan. 7, 1933

The two bandits who were killed Jan. 3 in a Water Street gunbattle have been identified; John Huff and Thomas R. Crawford were identified through fingerprints; the latter was wanted for the murder of a Pennsylvania State Police officer.

Two dwellings are destroyed, two more are badly damaged and two others are threatened by fire in Cape Girardeau, with loss estimated in excess of $6,000; destroyed are the homes of Mrs. Elsie Stone and Mr. and Mrs. Ed Cotner at 1101 N. Water St. and 1103 N. Water St., respectively.

100 years ago: Jan. 7, 1908

Louis Houck is in Memphis, Tenn., attending a meeting of government river engineers who are preparing to let a contract for the construction of a levee below Cape Girardeau; as the money has been appropriated for the work, it is thought that bids will soon be asked.

Representatives of six telephone companies in Southeast Missouri meet in Cape Girardeau and organize the Mississippi Valley Telephone Association; the object of the association is purely social and intellectual.

-- Sharon K. Sanders