Out of the past 12/23/09

25 years ago: Dec. 23, 1984

Seventeen cases were sponsored in the first annual Christmas for the Elderly program, developed by the Missourian and the Cape County Nursing Service; donated Christmas gifts were given to 17 elderly residents throughout the county.

Hundreds of people turned out last week to get a look at the results of a renovation and expansion project at the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce building, 601 N. Kingshighway.

50 years ago: Dec. 23, 1959

Fred Elfrink, who on Jan. 1 will take over Cape Girardeau's trash and garbage collection contract under the new title of Cape Sanitation Inc., says free service will be provided for all residences during the first 10 days of January.

Six young women -- Janet Deimund, Deane Finch, Ann Lamkin, Karen Earley, Pam Kinder and Lydia Bunch -- were honored at a recent Christmas party of Mariner Scouts Ship 98; each was presented the Curved Bar, the highest rank in Girl Scouting.

75 years ago: Dec. 23, 1934

In the afternoon, in conjunction with the "Religious Day" celebration of the golden sacerdotal jubilee of Archbishop John J. Glennon of St. Louis, there is Exposition of the Most Blessed Sacrament and Holy Hour at St. Mary's Catholic Church; this same service is held in virtually all churches of the Archdiocese of St. Louis.

Instead of Sunday night service at Centenary Methodist Church, a debate proves interesting to churchgoers; the State College men's debate team and the club from Bowling Green College of Bowling Green, Ohio, debate the international shipment of arms and munitions.

100 years ago: Dec. 23, 1909

A decision handed down by the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday in favor of the state of Missouri against the Scott County Macadamized Road Co. ends litigation that has been carried on for seven years; the road company is now perpetually enjoined from collecting tolls on the road from Cape Girardeau into Scott County.

J.H. Freeze of Cape Girardeau, inventor of the Freeze New Model wheat thresher, has closed deals with two factories in Indiana to build his machines on a royalty basis.

-- Sharon K. Sanders