Out of the past 1/8/11

25 years ago: Jan. 8, 1986

The Esquire Theater, which reopened in the 800 block of Broadway last spring offering second-run movies at discount prices, has gone out of business, according to the theater's owner, Ed Fairbank of McClure, Ill.; the closure leaves downtown Cape Girardeau without a movie house.

According to Highway Commissioner Paul Ebaugh of Cape Girardeau, the widening of Highway 61 in Jackson is a "top priority" among Missouri Highway and Transportation Department plans in Southeast Missouri; right-of-way acquisition for the project should get underway this year.

50 years ago: Jan. 8, 1961

The Rev. John Fajen, a native Missourian and missionary now home on furlough from his work in Nigeria, speaks in the morning at a special mission service at St. Andrew Lutheran Church.

Members of the Jaycees, using 19 trucks, gather up 1,500 discarded Christmas trees from Cape Girardeau homes; they then assemble a mountain of evergreen and ignite the trees in a fierce bonfire at Arena Park.

75 years ago: Jan. 8, 1936

The steamer Herbert Hoover makes a futile attempt to break the ice gorge which blocks the Mississippi River between Cape Girardeau and Cairo, Ill.; the steamer, leaving Cairo, goes to Price's Landing, 10 miles south of Commerce, Mo., and attempts to ram through the gorge, but is checked as the mass proves impregnable.

CAIRO, Ill. -- The work of making soundings and the start of boring for the location of piers for the Ohio River bridge here will be made within the next 10 days or two weeks; it is expected Public Works Administration funds will help pay for the bridge.

100 years ago: Jan. 8, 1911

Three Cape Girardeau churches are still without regular pastors, but arrangements are being made to supply the pulpits in the near future; the Presbyterian church has called Dr. Eugene Abbott, who will be here about Feb. 1; the First Baptist Church is considering the names of several ministers; and Christ Church, Episcopal, will likely call a rector after the bishop's next visit.

Firefighters are called to the Crescent Restaurant on Main Street in the morning, because of the explosion of the coffee urn; fortunately, no great damage is done, although the premises are rather badly scorched.

-- Sharon K. Sanders