Out of the past 2/18/03

10 years ago: Feb. 18, 1993

Long-standing dispute between various Drury companies over city's motel and restaurant tax was settled last night at city council meeting; at gathering, council disclosed that companies that had contested legality of tax agreed to drop their lawsuit; they have done so in conjunction with development of $4 million project that will expand parks and recreation facilities in Shawnee Park and at corner of Mount Auburn Road and Kingshighway.

After digging out from heaviest snow in 14 years, area residents shiver in record-breaking cold as temperature dips below zero for first time since 1989; record low of minus 2 degrees occurs between 6 a.m. and 7 a.m. at Municipal Airport.

25 years ago: Feb. 18, 1978

Frohna -- Dr. Helmut Hartmann, family physician in Cobden, Ill., has signed contract agreeing to begin practice at Doctors' Memorial Clinic here June 1, clinic board announces; Hartmann has been general practitioner in Cobden for 20 years.

Gordonville youth has completed work to receive Boy Scouting's highest honor, Eagle Scout; Kevin Schneider, son of Mr. and Mrs. E.E. Schneider, will receive honor; he is eighth-grade pupil at R.O. Hawkins Junior High School in Jackson, where he has participated in football, basketball, track and band.

50 years ago: Feb. 18, 1953

A.C. "Dolph" King, former U.S. deputy marshal in Cape Girardeau and one-time sheriff of Bollinger County, dies at McKenzie, Tenn., where he had been residing for past 13 years; he was 96 years old; King was native of Bollinger County, spending most of his life there, being extensive farmer and livestock grower.

Jackson school board last night called for special election on March 12 to vote on proposed school bond issue of $270,000; if passed, funds would be used to enlarge school lunchroom, library and study hall and to provide five additional classrooms at high school.

75 years ago: Feb. 18, 1928

Angelo Moll, proprietor of Terminal and Metropolitan cafes in downtown Cape Girardeau, has secured long-term lease on Charles Rueseler building, 417 Broadway; he will open restaurant in that building and will probably move equipment and fixtures from Metropolitan; it will be good location for him, being so near new hotel.

Definite assurance has been given that work will begin at once on Illinois Route 146, which will feeder for Cape Girardeau traffic bridge across Mississippi River; bids for portion of work will be opened by end of month, and contracts let by Illinois highway commission.

-- Sharon K. Sanders