Out of the past 2/2/05

25 years ago: Feb. 2, 1980

KELSO, Mo. -- St. Augustine's Catholic Church was rededicated last night, after restoration of the historic church, which began last summer; the Most Rev. Bernard F. Law, bishop of the Springfield-Cape Girardeau Diocese, and about 30 priests from the surrounding area took part in the ceremony.

State Sen. John Dennis of Benton, Mo., the target of criticism by Equal Rights Amendment advocates, says his opposition to the issue is in line with his constituents' opinions and takes exception to what he regards as political threats made by the ERA backers.

50 years ago: Feb. 2, 1955

A bridge crew of the Illinois Division of the Missouri Pacific Railroad is at work on the trestle bridge of the railroad that crosses the Diversion Channel south of Cape Girardeau; about 20 men are working on the project, replacing the concrete piers with steel girders.

Police hit a jackpot of mail order goods in a Cape Girardeau garage that will run into the thousands of dollars; the loot, which may be tied to the unidentified man being held in Chicago on mail fraud charges, includes two old-model automobiles.

75 years ago: Feb. 2, 1930

Work on the new Evangelical church at Ellis and Merriwether streets has been progressing steadily in spite of cold weather; plastering in the basement with the exception of one room has been completed, and carpenters have proceeded far enough to permit the painter to start work on the doors and windows.

The Rev. W.J. Schroer, assistant pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, preaches his farewell sermon to the congregation at the morning service; he will leave Thursday for Rochester, Ind., where he will assume the pastorate of three mission churches.

100 years ago: Feb. 2, 1905

As predicted, the mercury sinks to 6 degrees below zero in the morning and only warms up to 12 degrees by noon; the river remains frozen solid from Chester, Ill., to St. Paul, Minn., and the continued freezing ensures great damage when the ice finally breaks.

A new lumberyard is being opened up this week in Oak Ridge; Ed. Sutton has combined with Lee Hart, former county collector, to sell lumber at wholesale and retail; a sawmill will also be operated.

-- Sharon K. Sanders