Out of the past 12/29/01

10 years ago: Dec. 29, 1991

Two Notre Dame High School faculty members have been lauded for longevity of service to Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau; Sister S. Raynald Blomer and Cynthia King have received pins for 20 years of service; Blomer was principal at Notre Dame and also at Springfield Catholic High School.

Several businesses in downtown Cape Girardeau were without water for more than three hours Friday, when "fire line" developed leak in 100 block of N. Main; Union Electric Co. water department workers were called to site in afternoon, when water was observed shooting from street.

25 years ago: Dec. 29, 1976

Winter storm -- first real one of season -- stranded travelers, snapped power lines and turned highways into ice-packed hazards last night in almost every portion of Missouri, except here; Cape Girardeau and Southeast Missouri escaped storm which brought little more than isolated snow flurries that produced no accumulation.

Cairo, Ill. -- Oil spill upstream on Ohio River is expected to have little effect on this city's water supply; however, water company personnel are remaining extra vigilant just in case; early Monday, upstream bound barge struck gate at Lock and Dam 51, near Golconda, Ill., spewing about 8,000 gallons of No. 2 diesel oil into river.

50 years ago: Dec. 29, 1951

New Year's Day will be observed as holiday in Cape Girardeau on Tuesday, with virtually every place of business remaining closed; Davis and Superior Electric companies and several federal offices will close Monday as well as Tuesday; International Shoe Co. and other manufacturing plants will be closed on Tuesday.

Rep. Paul Jones told Cape Girardeau labor union representatives and Democratic leaders at the Airline last night he is "concerned about the loss of confidence of the people in their government"; Democrat from Kennett, whose district includes Cape Girardeau, was referring to recent investigations by Congressional committees of corruption in Bureau of Internal Revenue and other departments.

75 years ago: Dec. 29, 1926

Yacht "Willis," piloted by Jack Underwood of East Peoria Boat Yard at East Peoria, Ill., and en route to Tampa, Fla., has tied up at Cape Girardeau wharf and will stay here until spring; pilot, who is making trip alone in effort to demonstrate that journey can be made to pay for itself, originally planned to go only to Memphis, but because of delays met north of Cape Girardeau, he has extended his trip to Tampa; "Willis," deep water vessel, has dimensions of 7 x 26 feet.

New Kilgen organ, which has just been installed at St. Vincent's Catholic Church by Matrons, will be played at 10 a.m. Mass on New Year's Day for first time.

- Sharon K. Sanders