Out of the past

25 years ago: Dec. 21, 1983

Freezing rain, which begins around midnight and continues into the morning, spreads a sheet of ice on area roads, making travel hazardous.

Southeast Missouri State University won't impose a surcharge on incidental fees for the spring semester despite Gov. Kit Bond's 2 percent withholding of funds; the cut in funds is less than had been anticipated.

50 years ago: Dec. 21, 1958

A candle-lighting ceremony is held in the evening at the First Presbyterian Church in Cape Girardeau, with music by the senior choir; solo parts are presented by Mrs. Arthur E. Jackson, Mrs. H.B. Sullivan and Dr. John T. Crowe.

The Rev. Galen C. Fain, who served as pastor of Centenary Methodist Church from 1941 to 1943, was ordained a deacon in the Episcopal Church at ceremonies at Christ Church Cathedral in St. Louis yesterday; he retired last May from active ministry in the Methodist Church.

75 years ago: Dec. 21, 1933

Officers of the government Civilian Conservation Corps camp in Illinois opposite Cape Girardeau while here say men and officers in the camp, numbering 161, are getting settled for duty; the personnel are all World War veterans and came here from Wisconsin; they will work at forestation projects, including erecting fire towers.

Martha Sander and Meta Eugas, who received appointments Wednesday under the Civil Works Service as nurses in Cape Girardeau County, begin work today; they will work at both education and actual nursing.

100 years ago: Dec. 21, 1908

James M. Orre, master mechanic for the Reinforced Concrete Construction Co. of St. Louis, is in Cape Girardeau with his family to spend the Christmas holidays with his wife's father, Otto Frederick.

To please his bride, well-to-do Dutchtown merchant Louis Rau is having one of the finest country residences in Southeast Missouri built; the carpenters are beginning to put the finishing touches on the house; the house will have eight rooms and will have steam heat, tub and shower bath, and all the conveniences of a modern city house.

-- Sharon K. Sanders