Out of the past 12/9/04

25 years ago: Dec. 9, 1979

The Grinch has been at work in Cape Girardeau, stealing 15 to 25 trees from the Optimist Club Christmas Tree Lot at Independence Street and Plaza Way; the trees, 6-to-7-foot royal Scotch pines, are valued at $300 to $400.

Frieda Rieck, who for nearly 40 years taught children and adults the value of music in this area, died yesterday at age 97; a noted force in the field of music, Rieck was head of the music department at Southeast Missouri State University for 16 years, retiring in 1962; she was known in the community for her contributions to the arts and served as a member of the Community Concert Association.

50 years ago: Dec. 9, 1954

Medical doctors in Cape Girardeau County are largely in favor of a plan for a single board of examiners and a single standard for licensing both doctors of medicine and doctors of osteopathy to practice as physicians and surgeons in Missouri; however, osteopaths give the proposal only a qualified endorsement, objecting to a five-to-two representation on the board favoring doctors of medicine.

The Cape Girardeau Optimist Club puts on sale 1,000 Christmas trees; proceeds will finance the club's Boys' Work program.

75 years ago: Dec. 9, 1929

The steamers Cape Girardeau and Golden Eagle toot their 1929 farewells to Cape Girardeau as they pass here at 1 p.m. on their way to Paducah, Ky., for winter quarters; neither steamer stops, but Capt. William "Buck" Leyhe, master of the Cape Girardeau, waves from the bridge to acquaintances along the city's riverfront.

John Conway, 13, a farm boy near Illmo, is believed adrift in an open, oarless boat in the Mississippi River; yesterday, while playing in a boat under the Thebes, Ill., bridge, he pushed away from shore and was carried helplessly along by the current; radio station KFVS has been asked to broadcast appeals for aid from lower river points, and authorities along the river were also notified.

100 years ago: Dec. 9, 1904

Kelly and Atchison, who have the contract to put up the steel work of the Thebes, Ill., railroad bridge, are far ahead of their contract, owing to the unusually fine weather they have had.

A "junketing committee," appointed by the governor, spent the day in Cape Girardeau yesterday inspecting the buildings of the Normal School, and later was given a tour of the town by prominent residents.

-- Sharon K. Sanders