Out of the past 2/1/08

25 years ago: Feb. 1, 1983

An April 5 bond vote to help finance a multipurpose building in Cape Girardeau has been recommended by the committee studying the project; the panel also proposes that the seating capacity be at least 7,000 and that the facility be built somewhere other than the "Westborough Mall."

Many big wheels aren't rolling in Missouri as independent truck drivers in this state, as well as across the nation, move into the second day of a shutdown protesting higher taxes and highway fees.

50 years ago: Feb. 1, 1958

A wintry mix of rain, sleet and snow last night kept vehicles off the streets and highways; the snowy condition of highways north of here interrupted schedules of bus lines serving Cape Girardeau yesterday; St. Louis has received 11 inches of snow in the past two days.

Melvin Rickard of Cape Girardeau, a radio amateur, says those with FM radios in their homes can pick up the radio signal from the U.S. satellite, if they have an outside antenna; this country's first man-made satellite was launched into space yesterday.

75 years ago: Feb. 1, 1933

With a contract signed for construction of a modern store building which Maj. Giboney Houck will build for the Montgomery Ward & Co., on Main Street, preliminary work is started by the contractor, A.H. Gerhardt; the building will extend the entire 134 feet between Main and Water streets.

Retired Common Pleas Court Judge Oscar A. Knehans has established a law practice at 517 Broadway; catering to an elderly clientele, the judge is the first lawyer to have his office on the ground floor.

100 years ago: Feb. 1, 1908

In the worst wreck the Frisco Railroad has sustained on this division for months, engineer C.D. Rice and fireman Luther Lower suffered injuries from which both succumb; the accident occurs about three miles south of Neely's Landing, near Moccasin Springs.

J. Clyde Elder arrives in Cape Girardeau at noon from Carbondale, Ill., where his basketball team of Millikin University was defeated by the Carbondale team last night; Elder will remain here until Monday.

-- Sharon K. Sanders