Out of the past 12/1/11

25 years ago: Dec. 1, 1986

First it was deer hunting season and now it is rainy weather which is delaying the start of the removal of asbestos insulation from around the rusty boilers of two steam locomotives in Capaha and Arena parks.

Cape Girardeau police have taken one youth into custody and are expecting to question more juveniles about a rash of about 40 vandalism incidents reported Friday, Saturday and Sunday; one of the incidents involved a homemade bomb made with fuel in a glass jar that was thrown at a pickup setting it afire.

50 years ago: Dec. 1, 1961

New, red and white metal signs, designating station number one of the fire department, are installed on the building, located at Independence and Frederick streets; Commissioner U.G. Pettigrew ordered the installation of signs; he said the other two city fire stations are designated with signs, and he felt that fire headquarters should also be identified.

Lewis Haman is formally appointed scoutmaster of Troop 5, replacing Bob Eckelmann, who resigned; Troop 5 is sponsored by VFW Post 3838.

75 years ago: Dec. 1, 1936

The Southeast Missouri district WPA organization, following orders of the state office, releases five county supervisors and five administrative workers in the Sikeston, Mo., office; a general cost-saving shift is being made.

A new high enrollment in the public schools was reached during November, when 3,163 children attended classes, 1,582 girls and 1,581 boys.

100 years ago: Dec. 1, 1911

J.F. Lawler, with Mrs. Lawler, was enjoying the Thanksgiving dance at the West End Hall on Wednesday night when he was summoned to his meat shop on Independence Street because it had been burglarized; he hastened there and found a policeman on guard; the door had been opened by means of an ax, which was found lying on the granitoid floor, but no stock was taken; it is believed the burglar was frightened off.

At last the law library to be established in the federal building is started; with the receipt of 197 volumes this week, a good beginning is made by the Department of Justice in establishing a reference library for lawyers enrolled in the federal court of this district.

-- Sharon K. Sanders