Out of the past 2/15/08

25 years ago: Feb. 15, 1983

A 3 percent hotel/motel tax, a 1 percent restaurant tax, a contribution from Southeast Missouri State University and a 10-cent increase in local property taxes are the key ingredients in a plan formulated by Mayor Howard C. Tooke for the retirement of $5 million worth of bonds to help construct a $13 million multipurpose building here.

Civil rights leader Julian Bond, a 43-year-old Georgia state senator, will speak at Academic Hall Sunday, capping off Southeast Missouri State University's observance of Black History Month.

50 years ago: Feb. 15, 1958

A major petroleum products tank installation at Gray's Point, Mo., immediately east of Illmo, will be in operation in about 60 days; it is one of five such terminals being erected for Texas Eastern Transmission Corp., to handle products flowing through its reconverted Little Inch pipeline.

Colder weather is on the way tonight, with temperatures predicted to dip to 5 degrees in Cape Girardeau; a half-inch of snow last night and early today makes streets slippery.

75 years ago: Feb. 15, 1933

BENTON, Mo. -- Nearly 200 men from Scott County attended a meeting of the Scott County Protective Association yesterday, at which resolutions were passed asking legislators to press for laws that would bring taxation relief for farmers.

Four Cape Girardeau officers return in the evening from Poplar Bluff, Mo., where 200 district peace officers organized the Midwest Peace Officers Association. Locals attending were police Capt. Charles Schweer, Prohibition agent O.H. Cornelius, Constable Robert Reed and deputy constable W.A. Bullock.

100 years ago: Feb. 15, 1908

The Frisco Railroad is meeting its usual tough time in periods of floods; on both sides of Cape Girardeau, the track is in impassable condition, and no trains enter or leave the city; south of town a section of track has been washed out, and at Neely's Landing a similar condition prevents trains from passing.

Ruby Miller, the attractive young lady who sings songs at the Lyric Theater, is certainly doing her share toward attracting crowds to that popular place.

-- Sharon K. Sanders