Out of the past 11/25/04

25 years ago: Nov. 25, 1979

Second Baptist Church, under the leadership of the Rev. Claude Russell Jr., celebrates the church's 112th anniversary.

The lid is up on Toybox; for the fifth consecutive year, The Missourian, in cooperation with the Cape Girardeau Jaycees' Operation Santa Claus, is seeking donations of new toys or other gift items for youngsters between infancy and age 12.

50 years ago: Nov. 25, 1954

Thanksgiving Day. Union services are held in the morning at Christ Evangelical and Reformed Church; between 300 and 350 people hear the Rev. Guy L. Steele, pastor of First Christian Church, speak on "For What Are We Thankful?"

The usual "turkey day" football game isn't staged in Cape Girardeau this year, as the Central High team travels to Poplar Bluff for its gridiron sport.

75 years ago: Nov. 25, 1929

Excavation begins for the basement of the new Dormeyer drug store and confectionery building just east of 1129 W. Broadway; contractor S.R. Smith and a group of workers are removing trees from the site and getting materials on the ground for the new structure.

Construction of the driveway system under the new plan for beautifying Fairground Park will begin this week under the supervision of contractor W.F. Keller.

100 years ago: Nov. 25, 1904

After serving many years as an instructor and as president of St. Vincent's College, the Rev. Anthony Verrina dies in the morning; he was president of the local college from 1868 to 1880, a period that saw the college in its most flourishing days.

Cape Girardeau may soon have its fire protection greatly increased; an effort has begun for the adoption of fire boxes; it is hoped to have fire boxes placed on every prominent corner in the city, with a central office where an alarm may be recorded and the firemen dispatched immediately.

-- Sharon K. Sanders