Out of the past 12/7/02

10 years ago: Dec. 7, 1992

Citizens Solid Waste Task Force recommends city council implement volume-based pricing for solid-waste service; council will consider adoption of task force's recommendations Dec. 21.

Twenty-seven Cape Girardeau area residents and businessmen have rude awakening; they wake up to find windows have been broken in their cars, homes or businesses; weekend vandalism is part of continuing pattern; police have logged more than 50 reports of vandalism to vehicles and homes since Dec. 1; vast majority of reports have involved side windows of cars.

25 years ago: Dec. 7, 1977

Slow-moving convoy of tractors, tractor-trailers and pickup trucks numbering more than 200 is assembled in Arena Park, moves onto Kingshighway and down Broadway to Main, returning to park by Independence; demonstration through Cape Girardeau streets attracts estimated 400 farmers from throughout Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois; it is part of American Agriculture Strike Movement, protesting prices paid to farmers for their products.

Cape Girardeau man has given collection of some 10,000 Indian artifacts valued at more than $33,000 to Southeast Missouri State University; John L. Wescoat collected most of items himself during past five years at sites in Southeast Missouri, Southern Illinois and Southern Indiana.

50 years ago: Dec. 7, 1952

Dedication ceremonies for newly built Gospel Center on Marsha Kay drive, near intersection of Highway 61 and Cape Rock Drive, are held throughout day; visiting ministers are on hand, as are special singing groups; started in May, center represents cumulative efforts of congregation which is non-denominational in character; all construction labor was volunteered, and it was necessary only to purchase materials; co-pastors of Gospel Center are Mr. and Mrs. Irvin C. Huff.

The Rev. V.R. Ledbetter, who has been pastor of First Assembly of God Church for past five years, has resigned to enter evangelistic field.

75 years ago: Dec. 7, 1927

Bank of Whitewater was closed by its board of directors late yesterday, and state bank examiner is en route to take charge; bank, organized in 1904, is one of smallest in Missouri; gradual withdrawal of deposits, starting three weeks ago, during which about $20,000 was taken from bank by depositors, was responsible for closing; cash reserve has been wiped out, and board voted to close.

Because of predicted cold wave, which some say will send mercury tumbling to zero mark in St. Louis and points north of here, Steamer Cape Girardeau makes its last trip down from St. Louis, arriving at 11 a.m.; boat will leave this evening for winter quarters near Paducah, Ky.; this is week or 10 days earlier for suspension of service than in recent years.

-- Sharon K. Sanders