Out of the past 12/19/11

25 years ago: Dec. 19, 1986

For the fourth year in a row, the Cape Girardeau Area Wide United Way has met its fund-raising goal, announces campaign chairman Harry Rediger; to date the campaign has collected $360,200 in pledges, surpassing the goal of $352,100.

CAIRO, Ill. -- Cairo's residents face another medical crisis Sunday; that's the day Southern Medical Center will close its doors to all services; the hospital discontinued all but emergency-room treatment Dec. 1 in an attempt to stay in business.

50 years ago: Dec. 19, 1961

The last-minute Christmas mailing rush has hit the Cape Girardeau post office; there are indications the increasing volume will be heavier than last year.

Members of the Cape Girardeau Public Authority, interpreting the city council's inaction in the housing stalemate as a vote against public housing, abandons the project and submit their resignations to the council; quitting their posts are Vinson Rueseler, Walter H. Oberheide, Max Stovall and A.W. Zimmer.

75 years ago: Dec. 19, 1936

The Star barber shop can be seen at left, with its "orthodox" barber pole in front of the business. The photo was published in The Daily Republican in 1915. (Missourian archives)

An orthodox sort of barber pole, which had stood so long in front of the Star barber shop that it had become a part of the 700 block of Broadway, was carried off by thieves last night; the 5-foot, 100-pound wooden pole had stood at the edge of the sidewalk, fastened to a secure iron holder.

Edward Markham, son of Mr. and Mrs. E.L. Markham, is home for the holidays; he attends Harvard University Law School at Cambridge, Mass.

100 years ago: Dec. 19, 1911

At last the big Frisco bridge over the Black River near Hoxie, Ark., has opened for traffic; the train from Cape Girardeau passes over it in the morning and goes through to Pocahontas, Ark.

I.R. Kelso and Julien G. Miller, attorneys interested in the formation of the new drainage district in Butler County, returned to Cape Girardeau last night after attending the organizational meeting at Rombauer, Mo.; this important drainage scheme will soon be under construction.

-- Sharon K. Sanders