Out of the past 12/13/07

25 years ago: Dec. 13, 1982

The swollen Mississippi River continues to inch downward, after cresting Friday at 43.5 feet, 2.1 feet below the 1973 record; federal disaster teams are moving into flood-stricken Missouri counties to set up relief centers.

The Ilada Energy Co., which has operated a storage plant near East Cape Girardeau, Ill., and is under investigation by Illinois authorities, has moved out of its Cape Girardeau office; samples taken from the storage facility show levels of toxic chemicals in excess of federal standards.

50 years ago: Dec. 13, 1957

Christmas vandals get an early start; D.M. Scivally, chief engineer of the Cape Special Road District, reports that the tops of two trees in the Cape Rock area have been cut out, apparently for use as Christmas trees.

With a $200 contribution from the Rotary Club, with numerous smaller donations, and with endorsements by representatives of other civic groups, the annual Salvation Army Tree of Lights campaign is launched toward its $3,000 goal at dedication ceremonies on the post office lawn.

75 years ago: Dec. 13, 1932

SIKESTON, Mo. -- One man is fatally shot and another seriously wounded when a hoodlum, being held for questioning, whips out a revolver and shoots his way to liberty; dead is Connie Reed, 28, chief night mechanic at the Sensenbaugh garage where the shooting takes place; Gid Daniels, 48, night officer, is hospitalized with four wounds.

Missouri Utilities Co. officials say it is improbable that an ice gorge or low water on the river will have any affect on Cape Giardeau's winter water supply at the new water plant at Cape Rock.

100 years ago: Dec. 13, 1907

Postmaster E.W. Flentge receives notice of his appointment as custodian of the Broadway property that the government recently took title to; it will probably be the latter part of next summer when the ground is cleared and construction of the new building begins.

The passenger train from St. Louis yesterday was delayed by a lack of water in the engine; it arrives in Cape Girardeau at 4:10 p.m., having waited for three hours at the small station of Menfro, Mo.

-- Sharon K. Sanders