Out of the past 11/23/01

10 years ago: Nov. 23, 1991

It's going to cost more to put together Christmas fruit baskets or graze at salad bars this winter; tiny insect called poinsettia whitefly is chewing its way through millions of dollars worth of winter produce in Florida; Frank Stinnett, who owns and operates Stinnett Wholesale Produce Co., says impact of infestation will show up here in mid-December as shortages send prices higher.

Scott City - Water line leak that caused some Scott City residents to go without water in their homes for nearly two days has been isolated; city officials estimate that between Thursday morning and this afternoon, several million gallons of water poured from leak in one of city's newest 10-inch water lines; although water service is restored to most residents by 1 p.m. today, city officials are advising people to continue to boil their water.

25 years ago: Nov. 23, 1976

Southwestern Bell announces appointment of Robert W. Shaner of Cape Girardeau district plant manager; he will be in charge of installation and maintenance activities for 58 telephone exchanges throughout Southeast Missouri; Shaner replaces James A. Cowan who was transferred to Kansas City area headquarters.

Art treasure hunt that covered width and breadth of Southeast Missouri State University campus since March will conclude Dec. 1 with preview showing of new University Museum in Memorial Hall; art previously was "literally scattered all over the campus" and until now hasn't been properly displayed, says James V. Parker, museum director; focal point of museum will be Thomas Beckwith collection of Mound Builder Indian pottery, as well as Louis Houck's donation of statuary.

50 years ago: Nov. 23, 1951

Dorothy Drerup of Cape Girardeau has been elected superintendent of Cape Osteopathic Hospital; she has been acting superintendent since June 1, following resignation of Lee McGlothlin; previously, she was bookkeeper at hospital for 2 1/2 years.

I.R. Kelso, community leader and lawyer who died Wednesday night in St. Louis hospital, is buried with simple graveside rites in his family plot at Mexico, Mo.; number of state and State College officials attend service, along with old friends and relatives from Mexico and Cape Girardeau areas.

75 years ago: Nov. 23, 1926

Fire of unknown origin for time threatens to destroy historic St. Vincent's Academy building on South Spanish Street, for years a landmark in Cape Girardeau; fire originated in oldest building of plant, a frame structure which was built in 1842; hard work by fire department keeps blaze from spreading to adjoining larger structure; frame building is gutted by flames, however, and is considered nearly a total loss.

Complete plans and specifications for Cape Girardeau bridge across Mississippi River are being sent to contractors throughout country preparatory to bridge company receiving bids for construction on Dec. 3; specifications are printed in large folder containing 29 pages printed in small type; each step in construction is minutely described.- Sharon K. Sanders