Out of the past 2/13/09

25 years ago: Feb. 13, 1984

Proposed changes in Cape Girardeau's city code come under questioning from Councilman Curtis S. Smith, who says he doesn't see the need for such lengthy rewriting; the council this week is expected to consider 13 ordinances updating laws concerning a variety of nontraffic offenses.

A minor earthquake believed to be centered near Cairo, Ill., causes no damage and apparently isn't felt in Cape Girardeau; the quake registers 3 on the Richter scale here.

50 years ago: Feb. 13, 1959

COLUMBIA, Mo. --- Mrs. Frederick A. Groves of Cape Girardeau, president-general of the Daughters of the American Revolution denounced the United Nations last night at the state DAR meeting; Groves called the U.N. a "gigantic, growing, elite bureaucracy -- subject to practically no restraints, checks or balances."

Dr. A.J. Rasche, retired Cape Girardeau dentist, is the first recipient of the Exchange Club's Golden Deeds Award; Luther Hahs made the presentation to Mrs. Robert Rosenthal, Rasche's daughter, last night.

75 years ago: Feb. 13, 1934

Construction of a riverside drive along North Main Street as a step in the beautification of the riverfront will be suggested to the Cape Girardeau City Council as one of the projects to be undertaken if additional Civil Works Administration funds are allotted; City Commissioner E.P. Ellis says he will recommend that the project be included in the list for consideration.

Civil Works Administration workers begin removing a small amount of dirt from a lot on Broadway immediately east of Broadway School, where a filling station will be built.

100 years ago: Feb. 13, 1909

W.B. Ragsdale, in charge of the Buckner-Ragsdale Store in Cape Girardeau, returned last night from New York, where he spent a month buying goods for the Buckner chain of stores.

The next number of the Normal School's lyceum course will be a treat for lovers of good literature; Monday evening Isabel Garhill Beecher will read the famous play "The Servant of the House"; Beecher is the foremost interpretive reader today.

-- Sharon K. Sanders