Out of the past 12/13/09

25 years ago: Dec. 13, 1984

A survey shows that a majority of Cape Girardeau residents support the multipurpose building project, with younger citizens supporting the project more than older ones; 53.8 percent of those surveyed expressed favorable or strongly favorable feelings about locating the controversial $13 million arena on the Southeast Missouri State University campus.

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- The first outreach office of the Women's Center and Safe House of Southeast Missouri, based in Cape Girardeau, is expected to be in operation here within the next year.

50 years ago: Dec. 13, 1959

Appointment of Donald L. Dickerson, his partner in the practice of law, as assistant prosecuting attorney of Cape Girardeau County effective Jan. 1 was announced yesterday by prosecuting attorney Richard E. Snider.

Donald Berkbigler, son of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Berkbigler of Cape Girardeau, is a member of the new deacons class at St. Mary's Seminary in Perryville, Mo.; the deacons will be ordained to the priesthood in June.

75 years ago: Dec. 13, 1934

Albert M. Spradling, chairman of the Cape Girardeau School Board, has announced he will retire from the board next April after nine years of service.

The formation of a "Keep Stuber Club" is suggested at a meeting of the Optimist Club at Hotel Idan-Ha; a committee will confer with other service clubs regarding a campaign to have State Teachers College retain E.R. Stuber as coach of football; it has been reported that Stuber has been offered a berth on the coaching staff of the University of Missouri.

100 years ago: Dec. 13, 1909

The order for the special election to be held Dec. 21 has been rescinded and another has been issued setting the date of the election for Jan. 4; the change was made to allow more time for candidates to file their petitions before the election.

Dick O'Brien of New York, San Francisco, Tombstone, Ariz., and every other place where prizefighting is the pastime, is in Cape Girardeau; he is prepared to match his fists against any local man who believes he understands the manly art.

-- Sharon K. Sanders