Out of the past 12/22/06

25 years ago: Dec. 22, 1981

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Police here and throughout Southeast Missouri are continuing their search for a masked gunman who took nearly $144,000 in store receipts from two Kmart employees yesterday afternoon.

Cape Girardeau state Rep. Jerry Ford, a candidate for Congress from the 10th District, has received a number of key endorsements from top Missouri Democrats; Lt. Gov. Kenneth Rothman, State Treasurer Mel Carnahan and Democratic Party chairman Pat Lea have all endorsed Ford's candidacy.

50 years ago: Dec. 22, 1956

Vandals stole a Christmas tree and a heavy road sign on Cape Rock Drive last night, and chief engineer D.M. Scivally of the Cape Special Road District promptly posted a $50 reward for the arrest and conviction of the thieves; three feet of the top of a 5-foot tree near the water pumping station was cut out, ruining the specimen which was only planted this fall.

Don Deterding, senior, broke the State College Indians' individual scoring record with a 39-point performance last night, as the Indians downed Earlham College of Richmond, Ind., 99-79.

75 years ago: Dec. 22, 1931

The Board of Public Welfare of Cape Girardeau County made its annual inspection of the county home, the county jail and the Cape Girardeau jail yesterday; all places were found in good condition, but some recommendations were made.

Mr. and Mrs. Ralph E. Reynolds and Lindsay Simmons have moved to their new home at 1226 Normal Ave.; the residence, a two-story brick, is one of a group of new dwellings recently erected in the vicinity of the Teachers College.

100 years ago: Dec. 22, 1906

The town of Gordonville has its telephone system in operation; at present there are eight telephones in the town, the following people having subscribed for them: Dr. E.R. Schoen's residence, Gordonville Roller Mills, Kerstner Mercantile Co., Jacob Schwab store, Dr. Ford residence, G.C. Siemers' residence, Henry Nolte's residence and Henry W. Bangert's store.

Elora Proffer of Jackson, a teacher at Matthews, Mo., passes through Cape Girardeau on her way home.

-- Sharon K. Sanders