Out of the past 11/16/04

25 years ago: Nov. 16, 1979

Widespread reports that the jobs of city manager W.G. Lawley and police chief Henry H. Gerecke are in jeopardy have been discounted by the city manager, the chief and members of the city council; reports were circulating as early as two weeks ago that the council was going to ask for Lawley's resignation or that of Gerecke, or both.

Girardeau Contractors Inc. of Cape Girardeau is awarded the contract to resurface South Sprigg and Morgan Oak streets on a bid of $126,268.60.

50 years ago: Nov. 16, 1954

For nearly 35 years, 90 veterans of World War I from Cape Girardeau County have had money coming to them, but have never claimed it, and unless they do by Dec. 31 this chance to get it will be lost.

Fine-O-Meters, a device to allow motorists who overstay their parking meter time to pay their 50-cent fine without going to police headquarters, will soon make their appearance on designated meters in the three business areas.

75 years ago: Nov. 16, 1929

The Bank of Whitewater, closed by its board of directors Nov. 6 after it had failed to earn money for stockholders, had total deposits of $30,835.98, and loans of $30,331.25, according to an inventory filed in the recorder's office at Jackson by the state bank examiner.

Cape Girardeau streets will be decorated this Yule season with a colored lighting system, as has been the custom during past years.

100 years ago: Nov. 16, 1904

At a supper given Monday evening by the Rev. Olen Boggess, a conference of the several Protestant churches of the city was formed; the purpose, as the minister explained, was to wage a stronger fight against evil during the winter; those organizing the conference were the Revs. R.S. Brown, C. Monroe, Boggess, T.J. Duvall and Theodore Ludwig.

One of the biggest shipments of turkeys ever made from this city went out on the steamer Chester to St. Louis yesterday; there were 200 crates and over 3,000 turkeys.

-- Sharon K. Sanders