Out of the past 2/11/10

25 years ago: Feb. 11, 1985

Freezing rain and snow makes travel difficult for area motorists in the morning, forcing cancellation of classes for a number of outlying school districts; snow has been on the ground in the Cape Girardeau area since Jan. 3, for a total of 40 days.

John K. Hale, chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Cape Mercantile Bank and Trust Co., and Cape Girardeau Mayor Howard C. Tooke snip a ribbon of money to officially open Mercantile's branch at West Park Mall.

50 years ago: Feb. 11, 1960

Harley Langston, a bus driver for Cape Transit Co., files with the circuit clerk as a candidate for city commissioner; he is the 15th man to enter the race.

Edwin Blumenberg of Cape Girardeau, head of the science department at Central High School, yesterday filed for the Republican nomination for county assessor.

75 years ago: Feb. 11, 1935

ST. LOUIS -- Judge Charles B. Faris in federal court rejects an application by petitioning bondholders to place the Cape Girardeau Bridge Co. in bankruptcy under the provisions of a recent congressional act; his ruling paves the way for sale of the Mississippi River traffic span at Cape Girardeau under foreclosure proceedings.

Work begins on construction of gasoline storage tanks that will add 20,000 gallons to the capacity of Kelso Oil Co. tank yards, directly across from the company's offices at 535 N. Main St., bringing the total capacity to 100,000.

100 years ago: Feb. 11, 1910

Every now and again Nick LaCroix comes back to Cape Girardeau; he was the pioneer moving picture man here and has played in all the bands and orchestras in the area; LaCroix, who is visiting Cape Girardeau at the moment, has the wanderlust.

Dennis Scivally has been reappointed Cape Girardeau County highway engineer.

-- Sharon K. Sanders