Out of the past 2/19/07

25 years ago: Feb. 19, 1983

For the third time in less than a year, gasoline prices at several Cape Girardeau service stations have fallen victim to a price war, dropping the cost at the pumps to under $1.06 a gallon.

A complaint signed by 15 parents of youngsters attending Washington School charges that improper methods of punishment were used on some pupils; school officials are investigating the complaint.

50 years ago: Feb. 19, 1957

Further legal requirements for re-exchange of Courthouse Park and the post office building by city and federal governments were cared for yesterday by the Cape Girardeau City Council; an ordinance was passed authorizing Mayor Walter H. Ford to submit to the U.S. government a written proposal for the transfer of the two properties.

Members of the Cape Girardeau City Council have decided the city will meet head on Frisco Railroad's application to discontinue its two daytime passenger trains through the city; representatives of the Brotherhood of Railroad Firemen and Engineers have urged the city to oppose removal of the trains.

75 years ago: Feb. 19, 1932

A brick building in the rear of St. Mary's High School's being razed by Tony Haas; the structure will be removed within another week and the lot cleared for any future improvement members of St. Mary's Parish might consider; construction of an auditorium for parish activities has been considered.

Bricklayers are rapidly building the walls of the new plant at West Broadway and Clark Avenue for the Cape Girardeau Art Works Co.

100 years ago: Feb. 19, 1907

The Retail Merchants Association last night decided to take up the matter of buying a ferry boat for Cape Girardeau at the club's next meeting; the association may form a stock company to purchase a ferry and run it.

Giles Deevers, the well-known farmer living two miles north of Cape Girar-deau on the Bend Road, loses his year-old barn to fire, along with nine horses, two cows, 500 bushels of corn, 290 tons of hay, a new self-binder, a drill, two new buggies, a farm wagon and a great amount of harnesses and other farm supplies.

-- Sharon K. Sanders