Out of the past 12/10/11

25 years ago: Dec. 10, 1986

Cape Girardeau Mayor Gene Rhodes cuts a ribbon, marking the official opening of the new, $406,000 Independence Street bridge; the project involved the replacement of the old span over Cape LaCroix Creek to allow for greater traffic volume along Independence and to improve storm water flow along the creek.

Theresa "Terri" Riley, a 20-year-old Southeast Missouri State University junior, placed first runner up in the Miss USA Missouri pageant over the Thanksgiving weekend at the Lake of the Ozarks.

50 years ago: Dec. 10, 1961

The Rev. C.E. Rohde, who recently moved to Cape Girardeau with his wife and three children, is the new minister of First Assembly of God; he is a native of Burwell, Neb.

The resident bishop of the Missouri Area of the Methodist Church, Bishop Eugene M. Frank of St. Louis, preaches at the morning worship service at Centenary Methodist Church.

75 years ago: Dec. 10, 1936

John E. Flentge plans to leave tomorrow for Evansville, Ind., to bring his father, E.W. Flentge, home; the doctors there have decided the elder Flentge is now able to stand the trip, although he must remain in his room for some time yet.

The Rev. Ruben J. Edwards, pastor of St. John A.M.E. Church at Jackson, died yesterday at his home; Edwards, 48, was born in Louisiana; he was ordained in 1923 and came to the Jackson church four weeks ago.

100 years ago: Dec. 10, 1911

T.I. West, corresponding secretary of state missions, preaches in the morning and evening at the First Baptist Church.

Seth M. Babcock, professor of agriculture in a school in Kansas, visited the Normal School Friday and Saturday; from reports emanating from the school, it seems all but settled that he will be chosen to succeed E.A. Cockefair; the latter will leave Jan. 1 to take up his new duties for the government in Puerto Rico.

-- Sharon K. Sanders