Out of the past 12/31/04

25 years ago: Dec. 31, 1979

Construction in Cape Girardeau over the past decade got off to a sluggish start before displaying a healthy rate of growth that peaked in 1977, a study of city building permits shows; the big year was 1977, when construction costs declared by builders was 512 permits issued totaling $36,972,954.

New Year's Eve revelry isn't expected to result in an increase in drunken driving arrests, according to police, who report that patrols in Cape Girardeau will be the same tonight as any other night.

50 years ago: Dec. 31, 1954

The Rev. Marion F. Forst, pastor of St. Mary's Catholic Church, has been raised to the rank of Papal Chamberlain by Pope Pius XII; Forst's title will be the very reverend monsignor.

A Standard Oil Co. tank truck, loaded with kerosene, was hit by a Missouri Pacific freight train at a crossing near the entrance of the Standard river terminal yesterday afternoon; the **truck was overturned and demolished, and one freight car was derailed; no one was seriously injured.

75 years ago: Dec. 31, 1929

There are no strings attached to the city's ownership or use of Fairground Park, in the opinion of Mayor James A. Barks; he made this statement in reply to charges made at a recent meeting of the directors of the county fair that the original deed for the park site provided that it should always be used for fair purposes.

Retaining its lead in construction for cities of its size in Missouri, Cape Girardeau during the past year erected 53 buildings at a total cost of approximately $600,000.

100 years ago: Dec. 31, 1904

Company K, the local organization of the National Guard of Missouri, won prominent mention and many compliments in the report of Adjutant-General W.T. Dameron to the governor; the local boys were inspected by Col. Henry Jackson, U.S. Navy, retired.

As New Year's comes on Sunday, Monday will be the legal holiday; the three banks, all the city offices, and many other concerns will be closed; the post office will observe short hours.

-- Sharon K. Sanders