Out of the past 12/27/02

10 years ago: Dec. 27, 1992

Richard D. McClure has accepted position as minister of education and youth at First Baptist Church; McClure has bachelor of science degree in elementary education from Asbury College in Wilmore, Ky., and master of arts degree in Christian education from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky.

Narvol A. Randol Jr., Cape Girardeau banker and active civic leader, has been presented one of Southeast Missouri Boy Scout Council's Silver Beaver Awards for 1992; Silver Beaver is highest honor Boy Scout council can bestow upon adult volunteer; Southeast council was allowed to present three Silver Beaver Awards during 1992.

25 years ago: Dec. 27, 1977

For those who bought their first lipstick or bag of marbles at F.W. Woolworth's Store on corner of Main and Independence, today is sad day; "dime store" closes its doors for last time in evening; store opened on June 12, 1914.

U.S. Sen. John C. Danforth, making Cape Girardeau stop on swing through Missouri, gives Carter administration failing grade on most points during its first year, but agrees that Congress is due no plaudits either.

50 years ago: Dec. 27, 1952

Fire sweeps through and practically destroys building at Morgan Oak and South Middle occupied by Missouri Electric Works, Inc., shortly before dawn, and hours later firemen continue to pour water on smoldering ruins; Richard Giles, president, says inventory of contents of building is in hands of auditor, and exact value isn't immediately available; estimate of loss is $60,000 or more; building, formerly used as brewery, is owned by Mrs. Henry Vogelsang.

By telephone Mrs. Hoarse Clark is advised by her husband that body of his brother, Ben Clark, was recovered early this morning in inner coastal canal in Louisiana, where he was drowned Wednesday night; young Clark was employee of Pure Oil Co., and worked on company's barge, McElroy.

75 years ago: Dec. 27, 1927

About 2,000 Cape Girardeau children are guests of Rotary Club at its sixth annual Christmas matinee party at New Broadway and Orpheum theaters; both show houses are packed for performances, and Rotarians are stationed in streets as traffic managers, stage producers, song leaders and general entertainers and hosts; following show -- "The Wizard of Oz" -- each child is presented box of Cracker Jack and orange.

Charleston -- Dorena Gap, through which flood waters of Mississippi River poured last spring to flood wide territory south of here, has been closed; gap was about mile in length, and 512,000 yards of earth were used in closing it; cost was about $175,000.

-- Sharon K. Sanders