Out of the past 12/23/02

10 years ago: Dec. 23, 1992

Spirit of Christmas giving is alive and well in Cape Girardeau, says Capt. Elmer Trapp of Salvation Army; Trapp says he is optimistic that last-minute donations will allow charitable group's Tree of Lights campaign to reach its $105,000 goal; campaign right now is at $85,000.

Mel Carnahan makes his first appearance in Cape Girardeau since being elected Missouri governor on Nov. 3; he holds news conference at Cape Girardeau Municipal Airport, where he announces filling of four more staff positions.

25 years ago: Dec. 23, 1977

At special meeting of school board Wednesday, board voted unanimously to renew contract of Dr. Arthur H. Turner, superintendent of schools, for three-year period; contract calls for average salary increase of 5.8 percent, or roughly $2,000 per year over next three years; Turner's present salary is $32,500 per year.

Salvation Army distributes food baskets to between 300 and 400 families in Cape Girardeau and Scott counties in Missouri and in Pulaski and Alexander counties in Illinois in annual Christmas food basket program.

50 years ago: Dec. 23, 1952

Cape Girardeau business will come to halt tomorrow night for Christmas holiday, and for most government and factory workers vacation period will extend over until Monday; most federal employees will be off Thursday through Sunday under executive order; likewise, International Shoe Co. will be closed; Marquette Cement Mfg. Co., will have only bare operating crews on duty over holiday.

Military memorial services for Col. Noel E. Hoblit were held Dec. 10 in base chapel at Elmendorf Air Force Base near Anchorage, Alaska; Hoblit was passenger on ill-fated C-124 Globemaster that crashed into Mount Gannett, Alaska, on Nov. 22, taking lives of 52 people.

75 years ago: Dec. 23, 1927

Ironton - Peace officers throughout Southern Missouri are guarding highways and are on watch for lone bandit who yesterday entered Iron County Bank, held up bank employees and customer, and escaped with $5,000 in currency.

It is announced that St. Vincent's College has donated $3,200 of option price of its land, through which Missouri Pacific Railway will pass when built here from Thebes bridge, to railway fund; management of college agreed to make this donation, which will be taken from price which Chamber of Commerce will pay for land belonging to college to be used as right of way for railway; about 16 acres of college land is to be taken.

-- Sharon K. Sanders