Out of the past 12/4/07

25 years ago: Dec. 4, 1982

A near-record flood crest is rolling down the Mississippi River and will bring a stage of 45.5 feet to Cape Girar-deau Thursday; Cape Girardeau police begin advising residents north and south of the Main Street Levee District to leave their homes.

Hundreds of acres are flooded and numerous homes are endangered as a levee protecting the Dutchtown area from the flooded Hubble Creek gives way in the afternoon; floodwaters rush through about five breaks in the Hubble Creek and Diversion Channel levee, threatening Dutchtown and Allenville.

50 years ago: Dec. 4, 1957

New women's dormitory facilities at State College -- and a central dining hall and social center to serve them -- are assured with the announcement in Washington, D.C., by the Housing and Home Finance Agency that a loan of $1,400,000 has been approved for construction.

Deborah J. Nance, 4, daughter of Mrs. Juanita Nance, 1701 Bend Road, perishes from suffocation in a fire that rages through the two-story frame dwelling in which the family resided; the large frame building fronts on Bend Road and is connected to Kester's Place.

75 years ago: Dec. 4, 1932

Members of the Catholic clergy from all over Southeast Missouri are in Cape Girardeau for a special service marking the installation of the Rev. Alphonse V. Nicolas as pastor of St. Mary's Catholic Church and also as dean of this district of the archdiocese.

Dr. George H. Huff of Cape Girardeau, while hunting rabbits three miles east of Risco, Mo., bags a 20 1/2-pound bobcat; he intends to have it mounted; hunting with Huff are Grover White and Clay Smith, also of Cape Girardeau.

100 years ago: Dec. 4, 1907

The case of the city of Cape Girardeau versus the street car company was tried in police court yesterday and resulted in the company being fined $5 and costs; this was the case where Mayor W.C. Patton had Superintendent E.A. Guill arrested for tearing up the streets and leaving them in bad shape.

The Cape Girardeau Building and Loan Association met Monday for elections to transfer its assets and liabilities to a new organization; this action became necessary as the old charter expired.

-- Sharon K. Sanders