Out of the past 1/8/05

25 years ago: Jan. 8, 1980

Races for Cape Girardeau County sheriff quickly develop in a flurry of filings for county offices; entering the sheriff's race on the first day of filings is Jackson police Lt. Herman "Bob" Gribler, chief deputy James A. Crites, former county coroner Cecil D. Rhodes and Chester A. McCain.

The search for a permanent successor to Dr. Robert E. Leestamper as president of Southeast Missouri State University has spread to every corner of the nation.

50 years ago: Jan. 8, 1955

Twelve people in four families are left homeless when fire virtually destroys a 10-room frame house at 203 S. Middle St.; owned by the Rev. George L. Ventres, a General Baptist minister and operator of Snow White shoeshine stand on Main Street, the house catches fire at about 1:45 a.m., apparently from faulty electrical wiring.

A special election will be held in Cape Girardeau County on April 5 to consider a tax to provide a county library, if the county court approves the application for the election.

75 years ago: Jan. 8, 1930

A cold wave, predicted to strike the district today, fails to materialize, and the temperature stands at yesterday's low of 28 degrees; rain falling through the night permits the formation of a thin ice coat on the ground, highways and streets, causing some inconvenience to motor traffic.

Samuel Boutin, 77, for more than 20 years a building contractor in Cape Girardeau, dies unexpectedly at his home at 443 N. Frederick St.; Boutin superintended the construction of some of the city's best buildings, among these being the First Baptist Church and the new Presbyterian Sunday School building.

100 years ago: Jan. 8, 1905

The Epworth League has charge of the evening service at the Methodist church; special music, addresses, papers and recitations by members of the league take the place of the regular service.

The Rev. T.J. Duvall, pastor, conducts regular services at the Baptist church; the topic for his sermon is "The Mental vs. the Spiritual in Religion."

- Sharon K. Sanders