Out of the past 12/12/04

25 years ago: Dec. 12, 1979

The rainbow-colored bulbs of the Salvation Army Tree of Lights are dark this week after Christmas Grinches cut wiring on the lights and damaged the fuse box controls; Capt. Harry Litherland remains undaunted, however, in his efforts to see that Christmas has at least a little cheer for 600 area families.

An unexplained outbreak of head lice, both in the Cape Girardeau public schools and several county schools, continues to keep school officials on the alert for prompt diagnosis and treatment of the problem; 71 cases have been reported in city schools.

50 years ago: Dec. 12, 1954

The season's first snow of any consequence, huge wet flakes that splatter when they hit, falls in Cape Girardeau in the afternoon and evening, but the temperature isn't low enough for it to stick.

Harl H. Haas, who has built a career on oil operations in several sections of the world, arrives in Cape Girardeau for a one-week visit after six months of negotiations with rulers of oil-producing Central and South American countries; a native of Cape Girardeau, Haas made his first major splash in the oil business in Calgary, Alberta, where his operations skyrocketed.

75 years ago: Dec. 12, 1929

While final minor details remain to be worked out, negotiations are being concluded for the leasing of the Broadway and three other theaters in Cape Girardeau and Jackson owned by S.E. Brady to the Fox Corp.; the theaters are the Broadway, Park and Orpheum in Cape Girardeau and the Circle Theater in Jackson.

Officials of the Missouri Pacific Lines are in Cape Girardeau inspecting the company's new railroad line being built here from Illmo.

100 years ago: Dec. 12, 1904

Census-takers report that the population of the city of Cape Girardeau is 8,357; of that number, 7,436 residents are white and 921 are black.

Dr. W.C. Patton surprises city hall watchers by handing in his resignation from the city council; Patton says the actions of some of the council members has disgusted him to the point of quitting.

-- Sharon K. Sanders