Out of the past 12/2/11

25 years ago: Dec. 2, 1986

With three commuter airlines now serving the Cape Girardeau area, the municipal airport has become a busy place, with more passenger traffic than was the case only a few months ago when only one airline made stops here; flying out of the local airport are Northwest Airlinks, Trans World Express and Britt Airways.

CAIRO, Ill. -- Southern Medical Center closed its doors to inpatient treatment service yesterday; all patients were either discharged or transferred to other hospitals.

50 years ago: Dec. 2, 1961

Original Dixieland music is played by the State College pep band, recently named the Cape State Rebel Rousers, when it opens its second season at the basketball opener in the evening at Houck Field house with Arkansas State of Conway; the band, dressed in new outfits and seated in a newly decorated band stand, is student-organized and student-directed.

The 50-megaton hydrogen bomb detonated by Russia in late October shook the earth at Cape Girardeau, but only a seismograph could tell it; the instrument, installed in February at Magill Hall on the State College campus, recorded the surface vibrations some 35 minutes after the blast.

75 years ago: Dec. 2, 1936

Petitions asking consideration by the company of a proposal that the city purchase the Mississippi River traffic bridge are forwarded by the Retail Merchants Bureau of the Chamber of Commerce to Stranahan, Harris & Co., owners of the Ozark Trails Bridge Co.

After slaying two more dogs, police chief Herbert F. Wickham says about 40 animals have been destroyed; 15 of those killed are believed to have been rabid.

100 years ago: Dec. 2, 1911

ST. LOUIS -- Gov. H.S. Hadley has instructed Adjutant General Frank M. Rumboldt and U.S. Marshal E.F. Regenhardt to go to Caruthersville, Mo., to investigate alleged racial tensions between whites and blacks in that town.

Jim Phillips has bought Will Bryan's interest in the Cape Auto Supply Co., 514 Broadway, and is now sole proprietor.

-- Sharon K. Sanders