Out of the past 12/8/10

25 years ago: Dec. 8, 1985

In the past two weeks Cape Girardeau has been plagued with a rash of armed robberies; the latest occurs this morning at Shoney's Restaurant, during which a shot is fired; it is the sixth robbery since Nov. 24 and the fifth since Dec. 1.

The grand opening of Hecht's in Westport Plaza in St. Louis County was held Friday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony; the store is similar to the Hecht's women's fashion outlet in Cape Girardeau.

50 years ago: Dec. 8, 1960

Pearl Harbor Day and Civil Defense Day were the background last night against which National Guard troops in Cape Girardeau and over the area were called out on a practice alert; Maj. Lewis Conley, adjutant for the First Battle Group of the 140th Infantry, reports they were able to get men to posts over the city within 25 minutes of the first notice.

A long-sought museum to house Cape Girardeau County objects of historic interest moves a step nearer reality; the city council agrees to share equally with the county court the cost of a museum in a small section of Common Pleas Courthouse.

75 years ago: Dec. 8, 1935

Universal Bible Sunday is observed by First Baptist, Christ Episcopal and Maple Avenue Methodist churches; the event commemorates the 400th anniversary of the printing of the Bible in the English language.

Maj. Lloyd C. Stark was the guest at the Young Democrats of Missouri rally held last night at Houck Field House; an enthusiastic crowd of 575 greeted Stark, who has been endorsed by the Pendergast organization in Kansas City and by St. Louis leaders as the next governor of Missouri.

100 years ago: Dec. 8, 1910

Maud Gordan of St. Louis, who has been visiting here, starts for the Frisco station to catch the train for her home; while walking along lower Broadway, near Front Street, she slips on some ice, falling to the ground with such violence her leg is broken; she is returned to the home of her friends, where she is receiving medical attention.

George Sims, the photographer, is moving into his elegant new place in the Grissom building, corner of Spanish Street and Broadway; he will have one of the finest studios in Southeast Missouri.

-- Sharon K. Sanders