Out of the past 12/2/04

25 years ago: Dec. 2, 1979

Grace United Methodist Church congregation last Sunday dedicated a third octave of handbells, storage cases and performance tables; the items were donated by Mr. and Mrs. Leo A. Rasche in memory of Mrs. Rasche's parents, the Rev. Earnest C. and Louella Wadlow.

A meeting to explore the feasibility of establishing a Lutheran high school for the Altenburg-Cape Girardeau area draws 50 pastors, teachers and lay leaders; the group meets at Salem Lutheran Church at Farrar, Mo.; a committee of six pastors and teachers is formed to further investigate.

50 years ago: Dec. 2, 1954

The Cape Girardeau City Council approved an ordinance yesterday to introduce fluoride ions into the city's water supply; under terms of the ordinance, the city will have fluorides as a tooth-decay reduction measure in its drinking water within the year, probably within an eight-month period.

Petitions are placed in circulation asking the federal government to turn back to Cape Girardeau the Common Pleas Courthouse Park property, which it had acquired several years ago as a site for a proposed new post office.

75 years ago: Dec. 2, 1929

Bernard Bierschwal, 15, Missourian newsboy, was struck by a hit-and-run driver while crossing the street in front of the home of Henry Musbach, 1107 Harmony St., Saturday evening; he sustained a broken left wrist and a severe bruise on the right side of his head.

The steamer Cape Girardeau probably will make its last trip of the season on the Mississippi River here Wednesday, because of the quantity of ice in the river.

100 years ago: Dec. 2, 1904

Hathorne Ranney and Louis Juden are recovering from burns they received in a powder explosion yesterday near the public school; in some manner a can of gunpowder ignited and exploded in their faces; while the sight of their eyes was saved, they were severely burned.

Henry Birk has commenced the brick work for his new blacksmith shop on Main Street in Jackson.

-- Sharon K. Sanders