Out of the past 12/1/05

25 years ago: Dec. 1, 1980

Two members of the management study team from the Public Administration Service of Chicago meet with Cape Girardeau police chief Henry H. Gerecke as part of their first day of a planned 14-week study of the local police force's policies and procedures.

Citing the growing county park system, Cape Girardeau County Presiding Judge Gene Huckstep announces that Chester "Chet" McCain of Jackson has been appointed county park superintendent.

50 years ago: Dec. 1, 1955

A major Cape Girardeau landmark, the 87-year-old Opera House at Broadway and Lorimier, is threatened by fire that does minor damage to the Petit N'Orleans, French-style restaurant that operates on the ground floor; fire chief Carl Lewis says given another five minutes headway, the fire could have caused a major downtown conflagration.

A Cape Girardeau suboffice of the St. Louis District, U.S. Engineers, with inspection jurisdiction over river construction projects in this area, opens at 236 Broadway in the Harrison building.

75 years ago: Dec. 1, 1930

The Cape Girardeau City Council adopts the proposed new utilities franchise ordinance after giving it a second and third reading, and sets Dec. 15 as the date when a special municipal election will be held to determine if Missouri Utilities Co. will be granted a 20-year franchise to continue to supply electric power and water to Cape Girardeau.

Gov. Henry S. Caulfield appoints Otto C. Kiehne, a teacher at Gordonville, superintendent of schools for Cape Girardeau County.

100 years ago: Dec. 1, 1905

The Cape Girardeau Normals defeated the Barnes Medics in a most exciting contest on the gridiron Thanksgiving afternoon by a score of 43-0; the day closed the most successful football season the Normal School has ever had; its goal line was crossed only by the state champions, St. Louis University, no other team being able to make a touchdown.

ORAN, Mo. -- Oran has been visited by a destructive fire; last night around 11 the fire alarm sounded, and before enough men could assemble to fight the flames, the row of frame buildings opposite the Iron Mountain depot was doomed to destruction; the fired started in P.A. Cooksey's saloon and rapidly spread in all directions, destroying two blocks of business houses; the loss is estimated to exceed $50,000.

-- Sharon K. Sanders