Out of the past 12/3/08

25 years ago: Dec. 3, 1983

Roger F. Rhodes, a retired Gideon, Mo., farmer and businessman, and his wife, Ella, are guests of honor at the dedication of Southeast Missouri State University's new Rhodes Science Building; Rhodes donated $300,000 to the university to outfit the building with the latest scientific equipment.

About $18,500 has been raised so far in an effort to finance the restoration of the historic Old Appleton Bridge; the 103-year-old truss bridge, one of the earliest structures of its kind in Missouri, was destroyed a year ago today in a flash flood.

50 years ago: Dec. 3, 1958

A 15-minute color movie of the Golden Eagles State College marching band has been made by the college and is available for showing at schools or to organizations in the district; the film shows the pre-game ceremonies and the halftime program of the New York holiday show presented this year by the band.

Striking during the grand opening of Courtesy Cleaners new location at 1107 Broadway, thieves make away with $850 in cash and checks after chiseling open the office safe.

75 years ago: Dec. 3, 1933

The Rev. Jacob Rosenthal, who is conducting evangelistic services in many parts of the country, is the speaker in the evening at services of Emmanuel Baptist Church; his topic is "How a Jew Became a Baptist."

The Rev. Frederick P. Coupal, C.M., Vincentian missionary of St. Louis, begins a week's mission at St. Vincent's Catholic Church.

100 years ago: Dec. 3, 1908

Eight shoe lasters, or bull-headers as they prefer to be called, go on strike at the shoe factory in the morning when they are denied an increase in wages; the men presented their demands yesterday and gave notice that if the increase wasn't forthcoming, they would take their aprons off and carry their lunch boxes home to seek other employment.

Myrtle Mahn's millinery store on Main Street is ruined by fire in the morning; the blaze is discovered by policemen who notice smoke issuing from the front transoms.

— Sharon K. Sanders