Out of the past 12/14/05

25 years ago: Dec. 14, 1980

More than 400 degree candidates at Southeast Missouri State University are told that hard work is still the only way to succeed in life; E.V. Hellyar, an executive with Monsanto Co. in St. Louis, delivers the commencement address to the 433 graduate and undergraduate students at commencement exercises held in Houck Field House.

The day is marked with Christmas songs and messages at Centenary United Methodist Church; the Chancel Choir presents a service of Christmas music in the morning, and Christmas Vespers are held in the evening.

50 years ago: Dec. 14, 1950

The acreage of concrete at Broadway and Highway 61 is being broken up by construction of safety islands in a cooperative move by the city and the state highway department to channel traffic and combat a constantly growing accident hazard; in conjunction with the work, the Missouri Utilities Co. will install 27 mercury vapor lights along the highway from the entrance to Arena Park south to Independence Street.

Walther H. Ford announces that the name of the Ford-Young Funeral Home has been changed to Ford and Sons Funeral Home; Ford and his family recently acquired the interest of Ross Young, with whom Ford started the business six years ago.

75 years ago: Dec. 14, 1930

Bertha Smith has been elected secretary for the Red Star Baptist Church, a newly established office; previous to her election, Ben A. Huebel had been secretary and treasurer for the past five years.

Charles Brennecke, fireman on the Jackson branch of the Missouri Pacific Railroad, was honored yesterday at a celebration marking the conclusion of more than 47 years of service on the road; Brennecke, who was 70 years old yesterday, received pension certificates and a pass for life on any part of the Missouri Pacific system.

100 years ago: Dec. 14, 1905

Because of a shortage of cars on the Frisco, the plasterers of Cape Girardeau are taking an extended vacation; about a month ago, the lumber yards ran out of lath, although they had long-standing orders with the mills for immediate shipments.

Tent Town is doomed; in a short time, the site of that famous suburb will be cleared space; instead of the 29 tents which make up the town, tracks will cover the space; the Frisco is responsible for the town's demise; the town is located on its property, and it has decided it would rather have the space than the people and their domiciles.

-- Sharon K. Sanders