Out of the past 2/12/08

25 years ago: Feb. 12, 1983

The lone item on the agenda for Monday's Cape Girardeau City Council meeting is Bill No. 83-18; it would create an ordinance to allow the calling of an election in April to issue general obligation bonds by the city to pay its share of the construction of a proposed multipurpose building.

Construction is expected to begin soon on a new, single-story structure in the 2200 block of Rustmar Street to house Paramount Liquor Company of Missouri; currently, the company is at Kingshighway and Themis.

50 years ago: Feb. 12, 1958

Heavy ice floes in the Mississippi River from above Cape Girardeau to Cairo, Ill., slow towboats, but the ice hasn't gorged, and large boats that venture out are getting through.

The alertness of two Cape Girardeau policemen yesterday resulted in the single-handed capture by Patrolman Ivan E. McLain of two escaped Oklahoma convicts, each of whom reached for weapons but were dissuaded when McLain poked his .38-caliber service revolver in their backs; they apparently were making plans to burglarize businesses here.

75 years ago: Feb. 12, 1933

Burglars, evidently desiring amusement machines as their major loot, raid Old Appleton and Uniontown, Mo., in the evening, carrying off goods from two soft drink establishments and carting away five machines; the places looted are operated by Barney Balsmann at Old Appleton and Henry Brands at Uniontown.

A special service commemorates Abraham Lincoln's birthday in the morning at the Methodist Church at Benton, Mo.; the pastor, the Rev. W.C. Ellzey, speaks on "If Lincoln Were Here."

100 years ago: Feb. 12, 1908

It is reported that rails are being laid south of Cape Girardeau on the embankment thrown up last fall for the railroad to connect this city with the Thebes, Ill., bridge.

Nora Naeter of the Normal School music department leaves in the morning for St. Louis with several of her piano students to attend several performances of grand opera, given by the San Carlo Opera Company; those accompanying her are Bebe Patton, Verna Day, Clara Miller and Mrs. W.C. Patton.

-- Sharon K. Sanders