Out of the Past 2/17/02

10 years ago: Feb. 17, 1992

After suffering through year with no general pay hikes, Southeast Missouri State University employee groups are pushing for increased salaries and other compensation; three major employee groups presented their proposals to university's budget review subcommittee last week.

Las Vegas-based company is soliciting investors in Cape Girardeau area for "wireless cable TV" systems; telephone marketing representatives for American Microtel Co. have targeted area residents, hoping to procure investors in company; but it's unclear whether company is seeking money to open door for microwave-type "cable TV" system in Cape Girardeau.

25 years ago: Feb. 17, 1977

Search of nearly 40 years concludes with unanimous decision by Cape Girardeau Public Library Board to purchase for $47,500 a 5.2-acre site for new library; located on Clark avenue just north of Broadway, land is owned by Wulfers family; consultants have suggested that ideal size library building for city this size and growing would be about 30,000 square feet.

Petitions are being circulated by group of members of St. Vincent's parish to gain support for preservation of historical St. Vincent's Church on South Main; concern over fate of old church has prompted number of parish members to seek support from other members and community at large.

50 years ago: Feb. 17, 1952

Cape Girardeau District of Methodist Church winds up its United Evangelistic Mission with mass meeting at church in Sikeston - service at which many are turned away because of lack of seating; District Supt. John L. Taylor reports total of 21,367 people attended mission services in 31 churches of district in week in which it was held.

Perryville - Robert W. Bohnert, 29, was killed yesterday at Joppa, Ill., in collapse of scaffold at power plant building being built there; Bohnert was working on scaffold 40 feet above ground, when it collapsed; he suffered broken back, broken neck and other injuries; he is survived by his wife, former Sylvia Schumer; two sons and daughter; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Bohnert; three sisters and three brothers; burial will be Tuesday in Perryville.

75 years ago: Feb. 17, 1927

Chaffee - Scott County officers made three raids yesterday afternoon and arrested 10 men and woman on charges of possessing whisky, gambling and carrying concealed weapons; Constable J.E. Tines of Chaffee, aided by Deputy Sheriff Tom Hodgekiss and Constable Gene Bertrand of Benton, first swooped down on soft drink stand known as Smoke Club, arresting eight men; another "soft drink" stand was raiders' next objective, where two men were arrested; woman was arrested in raid on residence, where 90 bottles of home brew beer were found.

New Madrid - Fire, originating from embers blown from burning lawn, destroyed Presbyterian church yesterday; women of church were holding meeting in building at time, and they, with assistance of nearby residents, succeeded in carrying out most of church furniture.

- Sharon K. Sanders