Out of the past 12/16/09

25 years ago: Dec. 16, 1984

First Baptist Church of Jackson premieres a new Christmas pageant titled "And the Word Was Made Known," written by Jean Schweain, church organist; she is also a music teacher in the Jackson School District.

Scout leaders congratulated each other during the formal dedication yesterday of the new Southeast Missouri Council Boy Scouts of America Service Center, 3000 Gordonville Road.

50 years ago: Dec. 16, 1959

An offer including a discount feature submitted by Fred H. Elfrank, owner of Cape Coal Co., to collect Cape Girardeau's trash and garbage on a three-year contract, is accepted by the city council; Elfrank will provide curb and alley collection for $1.50 and rear building line collection for $2.

A business on U.S. 61 in Ancell is destroyed by fire at 1 a.m. with a loss estimated to be upward of $10,000; Tiny's Danceland is operated by Raymond "Tiny" Ford Jr. of Cape Girardeau.

75 years ago: Dec. 16, 1934

The Rev. C.E. Corbin, a local clergyman, fills the pulpit in the evening at the Nazarene Church, while the pastor, the Rev. J.E. Smith, preaches at the morning service.

Rosena Langlois Martin, a descendant of French nobility and a member of a family that was formerly one of the wealthiest in Cape Girardeau, died last night at a local hospital, where she had resided six years; she was 93 years old.

100 years ago: Dec. 16, 1909

WASHINGTON -- E.F. Regenhardt of Cape Girardeau, accompanied by postmaster E.W. Flentge and Rep. C.A. Crow, has an interview in the morning with President William Howard Taft; it looks like Regenhardt's appointment as U.S. marshal is assured; the president is very cordial in his greeting and accosts Regenhardt as the "Light House of Cape Girardeau."

Sam Boutin, the well-known contractor, is gathering numerous signatures on a petition for his candidacy as Cape Girardeau city councilman; he is seeking to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of A. Brunkhorst.

-- Sharon K. Sanders