Out of the past 1/8/07

25 years ago: Jan. 8, 1982

The Cape Girardeau Women's Center, Inc., a controversial gynecological office which will offer contraceptive and abortion services, is tentatively scheduled to open here within a month; Dr. Bolivar Escobedo says the clinic will be located at 891 N. Kingshighway.

Fires in Cape Girardeau during 1981 caused nearly $1 million in damages; in addition, two people lost their lives in city fires last year; the most damaging fire of 1981 was a blaze at Shakey's Pizza May 23, which arson investigators concluded was purposely set.

50 years ago: Jan. 8, 1957

The largest selective service contingent in more than two years -- 10 men -- goes out from Cape Girardeau County for service in the Army; the men are Robert Friedrich and Joe Newell of Jackson; Larry Hahs, Theodore Grebe and Friedrich Goodson of Oak Ridge; Jerry Sherman of Advance, Mo.; Raymond Moore of Millersville, and John Summers, James McLain and Robert Cotner of Cape Girardeau.

Action which will complete the paving of William Street, making it an all-paved thoroughfare its entire length through from the river to Kingshighway, was initiated yesterday by the city council; an ordinance was given the first reading directing the paving of the final, 1,700-foot-long section, between Sherida Drive and Kingshighway.

75 years ago: Jan. 8, 1932

Coil Lawrence, captain of the Benton, Mo., basketball squad, sustains severe fractures of the right leg when he falls during the game with Central High School at Houck Field House.

A new door is being placed on the city clerk's office in Common Please Courthouse; the glass door will take the place of an ancient one, and will brighten that part of the building a bit.

100 years ago: Jan. 8, 1907

The continued rains are causing many Girardeans much worry; most every cellar in the city is flooded; when the sewer system is installed, this inconvenience and unhealthy nuisance will be a thing of the past.

Henry Keller, living about five miles southwest of Cape Girardeau, holds the record for big hogs; he delivered one to A.J. Flentge last Saturday that weighed 690 pounds.

-- Sharon K. Sanders