Out of the past 2/10/11

25 years ago: Feb. 10, 1986

The first real snow of the winter produces a predictable aftermath of snarled traffic and a rash of minor accidents in Cape Girardeau; although more snow isn't predicted, the cold weather will likely keep the 3 inches received around for a while.

Cape Girardeau County Sheriff Dwight Thomas takes away commissioned status from 11 of his deputies in a move to lower liability insurance costs when they come due in April; these individuals primarily hold executive positions and will continue to handle administrative and operations duties.

50 years ago: Feb. 10, 1961

Rep. Robert Hemperley of Cape Girardeau has introduced a bill in the Missouri General Assembly that provides for daylight saving time to become mandatory all over Missouri; Hemperley says he has been asked by the Retail Merchants Bureau and the Cape Girardeau chamber of commerce to press for such a law.

A.J. Flentge, 92, a former member of the Cape Girardeau City Council and an early day businessman, died yesterday at a local hospital; he is survived by a daughter, Golden Flentge, a nephew and a niece.

75 years ago: Feb. 10, 1936

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- James A. Barks, 56, assistant supervisor in the state Securities and Corporations Department and former mayor of Cape Girardeau, dies at his home after an extended illness; Barks was mayor here almost nine years, retiring from office in April 1930.

Mac Hunter, director of relief administration in Cape Girardeau County, will become the local manager of the Cape Girardeau traffic bridge March 1.

100 years ago: Feb. 10, 1911

Capt. Al Jaynes' new ferryboat, the Gladys, arrived in Cape Girardeau yesterday; for more than a year, the city has been without a steam ferry, ever since ice tore the Warsaw loose from its moorings and wrecked it near Commerce, Mo.; in the interim, the staunch little gasoline boat Lorena Booth has done its best to care for the trade.

The Jackson Board of Aldermen has issued a warrant to J.R. Jenkins for $400 in payment for a lot to be used for a city jail, stock pound and fire department; the mayor was instructed to proceed with the construction of the jail immediately.

The ferryboat Gladys was tied up at the Cape Girardeau riverfront in this May 1912 photograph. (Southeast Missourian archives)

-- Sharon K. Sanders