Out of the past 2/10/09

25 years ago: Feb. 10, 1984

A record number of students have enrolled for the spring semester at Southeast Missouri State University; school officials say the total head count for the spring term has surpassed the previous high for a spring enrollment, 8,575 students in 1981-1982; 8,649 students are enrolled this spring.

Members of Cape Girardeau's Parks and Recreation Board are recommending the city hire an urban forester or horticulturist to oversee the planting, trimming and maintenance of trees in the city's parks and along public rights-of-way.

50 years ago: Feb. 10, 1959

A tornado strikes the heart of St. Louis a deadly blow without warning, killing 19 and injuring 265; Mary Naeter, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Naeter of Cape Girardeau, escapes serious injury in the storm when the tornado rips out a wall in each of three rooms of her four-room apartment.

First-grade pupils in Cape Girardeau schools will be examined by teams of the city's dentists next week as part of a statewide study of the effect of drinking water fluorides in reducing tooth decay.

75 years ago: Feb. 10, 1934

The Cape Girardeau City Council passes an ordinance approving the State Highway Department's plans for widening South Sprigg Street between Elm and Cooper streets.

State College officials say they are undecided whether to investigate a disturbance at Houck Field House last night; the referee in the basketball game was followed to his dressing room by an irate crowd of fans displeased by his officiating; Junior Brown, the official, an assistant coach of athletics at the Missouri School of Mines in Rolla, says he was struck at least twice by infuriated fans.

100 years ago: Feb. 10, 1909

An order is posted discharging 60 men employed at the Frisco shops, many of whom are employees of long standing; some believe the order reflects the completion of the big shops in Springfield, Mo., where most all mechanical work of the road will be done in the future.

The Ferd Herold, the first packet boat of the season, is scheduled to pass Cape Girardeau, bound for St. Louis, some time Sunday.

— Sharon K. Sanders