Out of the past 1/9/05

25 years ago: Jan. 9, 1980

Cape Girardeau County Coroner Harold G. Cobb, who has served as coroner for about eight months, has filed for election as coroner on the Democratic ticket; an unsuccessful candidate for that office in 1972, Cobb was appointed coroner by Gov. Joseph P. Teasdale last year after coroner Cecil D. Stroder resigned; also filing for office on the Democratic ticket is Doris Young, who is seeking the post of public administrator.

A four-way Democratic contest for the 33rd Judicial Circuit judgeship has developed with the filing of suspended Judge Lloyd G. "Jerry" Briggs and three other Sikeston lawyers; Briggs is challenged by W.H. "Hense" Winchester, Lewis M. Blanton and Tony Heckemeyer.

50 years ago: Jan. 9, 1955

Judge Albert C. Rau, 71, a retired farmer and former judge of the Cape Girardeau County Court for one term, dies of a heart ailment while en route from his home in Cape Girardeau to a hospital.

The committee raising money to complete the Red Star Baptist Church plant has secured $24,311 through sales, gifts and pledges; an additional $14,500 is still needed.

75 years ago: Jan. 9, 1930

Ice-covered wires, particularly in the territory north and west of Cape Girardeau, paralyze telephone and telegraph communication, while several communities in Southeast Missouri are suffering from hampered electric facilities; as a result of the troubles, The Missourian is without the services of its Associated Press wire, which brings telegraph news of the nation to Cape Girardeau; instead, the news of the day is broadcast by the AP over radio station KSD in St. Louis to The Missourian.

Cape Girardeau County's participation in the Ozarks Chamber of Commerce was initiated at a meeting of 75 men from over the district and city last night.

100 years ago: Jan. 9, 1905

Saturday evening, the fire alarm aroused residents to a blaze that destroyed the 11-room frame dwelling near the Normal School belonging to Mrs. E.V. Dean and was occupied by W.B. Crites; the whole upper portion of the house was in flames when first seen, and it was impossible to save most of the furnishings.

Sen. Francis M. Cockrell has completed plans for the distribution of his library, the largest and most valuable collection of public documents possessed by any congressman or senator; the collection will be divided among several Missouri cities and schools, including the Normal School in Cape Girardeau.

-- Sharon K. Sanders