Out of the past 12/12/02

10 years ago: Dec. 12, 1992

Graduation is shared accomplishment for Wanda Horn and Kathy Wilson; Cape Girardeau mother and her daughter graduate from Southeast Missouri State University with associate degrees in nursing and wealth of mutual pride.

Chester, Ill. -- Rehabilitation and repainting of Chester, Ill., bridge over Mississippi River is on hold again; Missouri Highway and Transportation Department has revised scheduling plans for project.

25 years ago: Dec. 12, 1977

Heavy ice floes on Mississippi River at Cape Girardeau have made their first appearance of season, about four weeks earlier than usual; floes haven't yet caused any serious problems for river traffic and may not for several weeks, says William Busch, assistant project engineer for Army Corps of Engineers.

Approximately 95 percent of sub-structure is finished on Illmo overpass project across Cotton Belt Railroad tracks, according to project officials; Gerald Hitt of Penzel Construction Co., which has primary contract for project, said construction remains slightly ahead of schedule; however, cold weather has forced work to cease until about March 1.

50 years ago: Dec. 12, 1952

Joseph J. Feuchter, city's consulting traffic engineer, tells school board that he can't recommend extension of Thilenius Street diagonally across Broadway frontage of new high school tract; his findings confirm those of school board, which is asking city council to return right-of-way dedication to board.

Prices of raw furs from Missouri animals are so low this year that most Cape Girardeau fox, raccoon and opossum hunters don't even bother to dress out and stretch hides; most hunters follow chase because they like the sport or meat, and they throw furs away.

75 years ago: Dec. 12, 1927

Operating under heavy blanket of fog, thieves last night broke into five Cape Girardeau establishments and attempted to enter another, but loot from their work was apparently not great; places entered were Standard Oil Co. plant, 503 Maple; I.B. Miller Drug Store, 5 N. Main; The Leader, 245 S. Sprigg; Hirsch Bros. Co., at Sprigg and Good Hope, and Walther Furniture Store at Broadway and Middle.

New York -- First baseman Lou Blue and Outfielder Harry Manush of Detroit Tigers have been traded to St. Louis Browns for outfielder Harry Rice, pitcher Elam Vangilder and third player to be named later; Vangilder is native of Cape Girardeau, Mo., and started his major league career with Browns in 1919.

-- Sharon K. Sanders