Out of the past 12/5/02

10 years ago: Dec. 5, 1992

As part of its approval and prioritization of projects on 15-year needs list, Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission has authorized funding for extending Nash Road into Southeast Missouri Regional Port; commission, meeting yesterday in St. Louis, also authorized completion of widening Highway 60 from Sikeston to Willow Springs.

Owner of vacant Marquette Hotel says vandalism and not lack of maintenance toppled glazed-clay pylon, which fell from top of hotel Thursday; owner Thad Bullock says police have concluded it was vandalism, saying miscreants climbed to roof by means of fire-escape ladder and then lifted ornament off iron pole it sat on and pitched it off side of building.

25 years ago: Dec. 5, 1977

Former Cape Girardeau police chief, Percy R. Little, was seriously injured Saturday night, when he was struck by car while walking along 1000 block of North Kingshighway near Veterans of Foreign War Post Home 3838; Little, 76, suffered two broken legs, possible pelvic fracture and possible internal injuries; driver of car was charged with driving while intoxicated.

Cairo, Ill. -- In effort to persuade Alexander County commissioners to put salary for full-time assistant state's attorney back in 1978 budget, several law enforcement officers meet with county board; Sheriff Donald J. Turner, Deputy Sheriff Jerry Rednour and Cairo police detectives Robert Tolbert and Steve Thomas argue full-time assistant is needed because of state's attorney's heavy case load.

50 years ago: Dec. 5, 1952

Bids to move 72,400 cubic feet of earth on 34-acre high school tract will be asked shortly by board of education, which yesterday authorized Fred E. Dormeyer Jr., associate architect, to prepare necessary bid and advertising forms; Dormeyer said that recent land-moving jobs have averaged 25 cents per cubic yard; at that rate, school job would cost around $18,100.

Cairo, Ill. -- New, million-dollar St. Mary's Hospital in Cairo is nearing completion, according to architect Harold W. Long of Cape Girardeau, Mo.; 56-bed hospital will be open during first quarter of 1953; it will take place of present hospital almost entirely.

75 years ago: Dec. 5, 1927

Cement for concrete footing of new Marquette Hotel is being poured on south and west sides of building site; steam shovel was removed from site Friday, following completion of major excavations, and it will now be put in operation at Houck Field at Teachers College; according to contractors, foundation and footings for hotel will be completed by end of week.

Opening of Hecht's new store in evening attracts hundreds of people, many from other towns; display windows, which attract first attention, were dressed for occasion by Edward Lamprich, former Cape Girardeau boy; through his own efforts, he has become one of best known window trimmers in country.

-- Sharon K. Sanders