Out of the past 12/3/02

10 years ago: Dec. 3, 1992

Cape Girardeau Central High School junior will witness inauguration of President-elect Bill Clinton on Jan. 20 as added bonus to Washington Workshops weekend; William L. Ogborn will be among students who will have reserved seating for gala presidential inaugural parade down Pennsylvania Avenue and will attend swearing-in ceremonies on Capitol Hill.

No one is injured when 25-to-30 pound glazed-clay pylon falls from top of closed Marquette Hotel; roof ornament crashes onto Fountain street; incident appears to be freak accident, or perhaps vandalism; police are investigating.

25 years ago: Dec. 3, 1977

East Cape Girardeau, Ill. -- Amid predictions of best year ever for Illinois Republican Party, Alexander County GOP announced its slate of local candidates for 1978 elections at fund-raiser last night; Lt. Gov. David O'Neal and State Rep. Robert C. Winchester were on hand to make introductions.

New life has been breathed into old John F. Vogelsanger house at 223 Independence; throughout spring and fall, electricians, painters, and carpenters labored to bring 1890s back from the past, as old Victorian home was restored by Lois Liden, Southeast Missouri native who returned here from Michigan.

50 years ago: Dec. 3, 1952

Proposal for elimination of island parklet separating South Main Street drives between Independence and Merriwether snarled meeting of Traffic Advisory Committee last night; upshot was adoption of motion asking city council "to move slowly" with such plans and to give matter "further consideration"; it had been suggestion that removal of parklet would make possible parking of more vehicles on the street.

Cape Girardeau County's dwindling pool of military manpower has dropped to rock bottom with only scant 29 men left in 20-year-old age bracket who are eligible for service; they are the men remaining from among hundreds in 20-to-26 age bracket who have registered since Selective Service was reactivated in August 1948.

75 years ago: Dec. 3, 1927

Announcement is made that Cape Silica Co. will open old silica mines five miles west of Cape Girardeau and begin filling orders no later than Jan. 15; company was organized by capitalists from Chicago and Kankakee, Ill., and has capital stock of $150,000; mines had been shut down several years ago.

New Hecht building on Main Street is receiving final touches of glazier and painter, and formal opening of new store will be held Monday evening; at close of business this evening, stock of merchandise will be moved into new store.

-- Sharon K. Sanders