Out of the past 11/2/07

25 years ago: Nov. 2, 1982

In a 5-2 vote last night, the Cape Girardeau gave final approval to an ordinance repealing the city's controversial abortion ordinance rather than face a court battle to defend it; the vote was much to the satisfaction of Dr. Bolivar M. Escobedo, director of the Cape Girardeau Gynecological Center, but clearly to the dismay of Thomas L. Meyer, spokesman for a local pro-life group.

Cape Girardeau voters face long lines at polling places; election officials report what could be the heaviest off-year, non-presidential election turnout in local history.

50 years ago: Nov. 2, 1957

Southeast Missouri Hospital's new addition is in full use for the first time; patients in the maternity section of the original building were moved into the maternity rooms in the new structure yesterday.

Homecoming activities at the State College get off to a rainy start; the annual parade is held in the afternoon, and the football game against Springfield, Mo., in the evening; the Indians continue their undefeated ways by trouncing the Bears 20-0.

75 years ago: Nov. 2, 1932

Plans for the erection of a memorial to the late Rev. E. Pruente, pastor of St. Mary's Catholic Church, were made last night by congregation members; the memorial, which will be a representation of the crucifixion, will be in St. Mary's Cemetery on Perryville Road; under the altar will be a space sufficient for two burial vaults, one for Pruente and the other for his surviving sister.

Emil Dewrock, who is employed at the Armstrong Dairy near Cape Girardeau, recently got his limit in hawks; within a period of one day, Dewrock caught three hawks in steel traps.

100 years ago: Nov. 2, 1907

U.S. Sen. Robert La Follette of Wisconsin arrives in Cape Girardeau in the early afternoon, accompanied by professor W.W. Martin, who met the distinguished gentleman at St. Louis and accompanied him here; La Follette will speak this evening at the Normal School.

For several days, four jack rabbits have been displayed in a Main Street store window; they will be used tomorrow afternoon to furnish a new kind of entertainment at the fairgrounds: jack rabbit races.

-- Sharon K. Sanders