Out of the past 2/18/10

25 years ago: Feb. 18, 1985

Faced with Missouri Pacific Railroad's request before the Interstate Commerce Commission to abandon a branch line here, a group of Cape Girardeau rail users is looking into buying the track.

Brig. Gen. Raymond V. McMillan speaks to an audience in the University Center about "Blacks' Role in the U.S. Military"; he is one of eight black generals in the Air Force.

50 years ago: Feb. 18, 1960

A surprise practice alert drew National Guardsmen of the First Battle Group to their armories last night in a movement that staff officers term successful; a chain of telephone calls, announcements on the radio and television, theater announcements and other contacts were used to inform the Guardsmen, who began arriving at their posts within minutes.

The 37th annual dinner meeting of the Cape County Livestock Shipping Association convenes at Immaculate Conception Catholic School in Jackson in the evening; Harry D. Wright, manager of Production livestock Marketing Association, National Stock Yards, Ill., is the guest speaker.

75 years ago: Feb. 18, 1935

Burglars, becoming adept as pass-key artists, looted three more Cape Girardeau establishments over the weekend, securing about $71.50 and a small amount of merchandise; the places looted were grocery stores: the F.F. Braun & Bro. Grocery at 608 Good Hope St., Blechle Bros. Grocery at 1227 Broadway and Mehrle Grocery, 112 Independence St.

At the regular meeting of the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, a resolution is adopted approving the suggestion of the board of Central Relief Organization to turn over to city officials the community relief program, so it may be placed on a permanent, systematic basis.

100 years ago: Feb. 18, 1910

Mrs. F.A. Kage has a narrow escape from death by the explosion of her kitchen range in the morning, caused by the water pipes being frozen; the range is torn all to pieces, parts of it being scattered about the room and a hole is knocked through the side of the building.

It is rumored that Edward Jenkins and Austin Hope of Jackson, old Confederate soldiers of renowned bravery, have applied for admission to the Confederate home at Higginsville, Mo.

-- Sharon K. Sanders