Out of the past 2/12/12

25 years ago: Feb. 12, 1987

A committee studying a recreational lake in Cape Girardeau County continues to conduct its work at a fast pace; yesterday it identified three new possible lake locations in the county that will be forwarded to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Department of Conservation for evaluation.

A morning gasoline fire causes extensive damage at the Rhodes Midway gasoline station on U.S. 61/Highway 34, east of Jackson; no injuries are reported; the fire apparently starts when a motorist drives off with the gas pump nozzle still in the car's gas tank.

50 years ago: Feb. 12, 1962

The Mahy family, for 48 years identified with the grocery business, has sold its market at 1004 N. Sprigg St., to Mr. and Mrs. Floyd McGregor of Cape Girardeau; J. Ralph Mahy has operated the store since 1936; the neighborhood market was opened in 1914 by his father, J. Roy Mahy.

The Cape Girardeau School Board decides Central High School pupils will rent, not buy, their textbooks next year; the new system will provide a rental of $10 per year per pupil, with a maximum refund of $3 at the end of the year depending on the condition of the returned books.

75 years ago: Feb. 12, 1937

The Missourian is joining with 700 other newspapers from coast to coast, in cooperation with NEA Service Inc., to conduct a nationwide opinion poll on President Roosevelt's proposal to revamp the Supreme Court; about 60 million Americans will be asked their opinion on the president's plan to enlarge the court.

The city council discusses the fire that yesterday destroyed the Community Clubhouse at Fairgrounds Park and suggestions about replacing it with another structure of similar or smaller size.

100 years ago: Feb. 12, 1912

Today being President Abraham Lincoln's birthday, the Sons of Veterans observe the day by firing a cannon salute.

At the Democratic county convention at Jackson, the delegates from Cape Girardeau County are instructed to vote for Champ Clark at the Joplin, Mo., convention for the Democratic nomination for president; this is done because of the withdrawal of former governor Joseph Folk.

-- Sharon K. Sanders