Out of the past 12/27/06

25 years ago: Dec. 27, 1981

After-Christmas sales, along with plenty of gift exchanges, brought shoppers out in force in Cape Girardeay yesterday, and it appears another busy day is in store for merchants today; Saturday was one of the bigtgest days of the year for local shoppers, who took advantage of end-of-the-year sales as merchants attempt to reduce inventories by Dec. 31.

Pet World has moved from 15 N. Main St. in Cape Girardeau to a location in West Park Mall; president of the firm is Roger Brodsky.

50 years ago: Dec. 27, 1956

In an effort to keep life in the drive to raise $1,092, its quota in the American Red Cross Hungarian relief campaign, the Cape Girardeau County Red Cross chapter has mailed a second letter to county residents asking them to contribute; the fund now stands at $875.35.

Cape Girardeau city assessor Harry Andrews and county assessor John L. Wescoat and their deputies next week will begin taking personal property assessments; their visits to each residence will be followed shortly by the assessment of real estate, carried out in the county by Wescoat and in Cape Girardeau jointly by the two assessors.

75 years ago: Dec. 27, 1931

Fire, believed to have originated from defective wiring, severely damages the one-story frame dwelling of Mr. and Mrs. Ray Harris, 1101 Chestnut St., in Cape Girardeau; loss, including all of the household furnishings, is estimated at $3,500.

Having the unusual record of 50 years as pastor in one parish, the Rev. E. Pruente will be honored by the parish at a banquet at St. Mary's School Hall Wednesday night; two years ago, Pruente observed the 50th anniversary of his ordination as a priest.

100 years ago: Dec. 27, 1906

The condemnation proceedings instituted by the federal government against the property of August Ruesskamp and Ella Wall Rodney at the corner of Broadway and Fountain Street face a delay until Jan. 3; a demurer to the condemnation petition was filed by attorneys for the defendants and it's conditions were upheld by the judge hearing the case.

Through the efforts of its new pastor, the Rev. F.X. Feeley, St. Vincent's Catholic Church has a beautiful new nativity scene; the miniature stable at Bethlehem has been recreated in the northeastern nave of the old edifice.

-- Sharon K. Sanders