Out of the past 12/16/04

25 years ago: Dec. 16, 1979

Michael "Dan" Todd has accepted the call as minister of the Church of Christ in Jackson; he is a graduate of Harding College in Searcy, Ark., and attended Northeast Missouri State University in Kirksville.

Christmas sermons, cantatas and Sunday school programs usher in the Christmas season at churches throughout Cape Girardeau; "The Christmas Story," directed by Daronda Toole, is presented in the morning at First Church of the Nazarene.

50 years ago: Dec. 16, 1954

City Clerk Verna L. Landis swears in a new policeman; he is Ellis P. Thurm, 25, of Cape Girardeau Route 2; he has lived in Cape Girardeau the last 13 years; he served for two years in the Marine Corps Military Police at Camp Lejeune, N.C., being discharged Jan. 27.

Awards for work in and with 4-H Clubs of the county are presented at the annual Leaders Recognition Banquet of the clubs at the Hanover Lutheran Church recreation building; receiving the Gold Clover Leaf Award for 10 years service are Mrs. Lynn Roberts of Daisy, Mrs. Raymond Godwin of Pocahontas and Mrs. A.H. Macke of Gordonville.

75 years ago: Dec. 16, 1929

Southeast Missouri Hospital will continue in operation, the board of trustees decided at a meeting Saturday; the action was based on the expectation that several large subscriptions and many other donations of small amounts from other subscribers will be received during this month.

Despite the unfavorable weather, Christmas shopping goes on at a fast pace in Cape Girardeau, with the business comparing favorably with former years.

100 years ago: Dec. 16, 1904

Dr. George W. Cole Jr., chief surgeon of the Frisco system, was in Cape Girardeau yesterday and appointed Dr. W.C. Patton division surgeon; Patton begins his duties by appointing Dr. R.F. Wichterich local surgeon and Dr. H.L. Cunningham oculist.

M.G. Price, post office inspector, pays a visit to postmaster E.W. Flentge; he is here to investigate the case of L.L. Bowman, the carrier who was suspended from duty some time ago for refusing to carry mail to certain houses in his territory; Bowman claims it is nearly impossible for him to reach the houses.

-- Sharon K. Sanders