Out of the past 12/9/07

25 years ago: Dec. 9, 1982

Reports of looting in some areas of the county, evacuated because of rising floodwaters, prompt Cape Girardeau County officials to discuss implementing a curfew; a new river forecast is issued calling for the Mississippi River to crest at 43.7 feet on Friday, a lower stage than earlier predicted.

Cape Girardeau County Court says it will look into the possibility of salvaging and restoring the 103-year-old Old Appleton truss bridge, which was swept off its piers last Friday by flooding on Apple Creek.

50 years ago: Dec. 9, 1957

Mr. and Mrs. R.C. Ivie have moved back to Cape Girardeau and are living at 613 Sunset; for a year, they had lived at Dubuque, La.; R.C. Ivie has gone into the furnace and appliance business here.

It is announced that Bartels Mercantile Co., will remain open until Dec. 14 for accounts and, after that time, they will be turned over to the firm of Spradling & Bradshaw, attorneys; the last of the store's merchandise was sold Saturday, and fixtures are being sold; on Jan. 2, the building will be turned over to the new owner, Wayne Rust.

75 years ago: Dec. 9, 1932

About 25 Japanese cherry trees, set out four years ago at Fairground Park, have been transplanted from the west side of the park to the east side; they have been set in clusters along West End Boulevard and at other points where they will be particularly attractive during the blossoming season.

City Engineer E.L. Sailer issues a permit to the Rev. J. Cox to build a one-story frame building on the east side of North Hanover Street, between Themis and Independence, to be used as a house of worship by the Church of the Nazarene.

100 years ago: Dec. 9, 1907

Postmaster E.W. Flentge receives a letter from Robert P. Goetz, Cape Girardeau's representative at West Point military academy; the letter is filled with news of interest to locals; he writes of playing in a football game at Philadelphia, which the West Pointers lost, 6-0.

R.P. Taylor of near Jackson was in Cape Girardeau yesterday with Mr. and Mrs. R.M. Alexander and son, Jim, who live in Sullivan County; Alexander lived near Jackson 21 years ago, and this is his first visit back; he is surprised at the growth of the place.

-- Sharon K. Sanders