Out of the past 11/12/2008

25 years ago: Nov. 12, 1983

Cape Girardeau residents see the first sign of winter in the form of brief but heavy flurries; with temperatures in the low 40s, the snow doesn't stick.

R.P. Smith, an attorney who practiced law in Cape Girardeau for more than 50 years, served three stints as city attorney and was involved in one of the most celebrated cases in city history, died yesterday at age 81; his most famous case was called the "Post Office Case," which he won for the city; the litigation involved a trade of the old post office and the Common Pleas Courthouse.

50 years ago: Nov. 12, 1958

Facilities for what could possibly be developed into a youth recreation center for Cape Girardeau boys and girls are available at the Salvation Army Building, 215 Broadway, says Lt. Dan Boyer, Corps officer; Army officers are considering using extra room in the rear of the building for a recreation center.

Approval of the final contract for construction of a new elementary school in the northwest section of Cape Girardeau is announced by superintendent L.J. Schultz; the bid of A.E. Birk and Son, amounting to $53,988, for plumbing, heating and ventilating work, was accepted, bringing the total amount of contracts to $309,288.

75 years ago: Nov. 12, 1933

The first dry meeting in Southeast Missouri since repeal of the 18th Amendment is held at the First Baptist Church in Cape Girardeau, with Dr. F. Scott McBride, national head of the Anti-Saloon League, as the speaker.

The Rev. Robert L. Harrell preaches his final sermons at First Christian Church; Thursday, the minister, his wife and their two children, Robert and Juanita, will go to Cameron, Mo., where Harrell will assume his duties as pastor of the Christian Church there.

100 years ago: Nov. 12, 1908

For the fourth straight day, The Daily Republican doesn't print its newspaper; workers continue the job of moving and installing the presses and other equipment in The Republican's new Broadway home.

Work has started properly on the site of the federal building at Broadway and Fountain Street; excavation is being rapidly pushed for the basement of the structure and the foundations.

— Sharon K. Sanders