Out of the past 2/2/07

25 years ago: Feb. 2, 1982

A dozen families living along Sherwood and Briarwood drives in northern Cape Girardeau have filed suit in Circuit Court here against the city of Cape Girardeau, claiming it has been negligent in the maintenance of the sewer system in their neighborhood.

Cape Girardeau police chief Ray Johnson spends a busy first day on the job, acquainting himself with the department.

50 years ago: Feb. 2, 1957

A fund of $115,000 for the first year's development of Trail of Tears State Park has been made available by the State Park Board, according to C.W. Boutin, Cape Girardeau member of the board; the Bartholomew firm of St. Louis will draw the plans for the new park.

A two-day roof-to-basement examination of the Cape Girardeau post office by the General Services Administration, which concludes today, may be the origin of an extensive repair and alteration program next summer or fall.

75 years ago: Feb. 2, 1932

Bids for collection of garbage in Cape Girardeau will be received at the next regular meeting of the city council; this action changes the plan that had been in force for years, in that the contract for collection will likely be let to one man for the entire city.

William W. Taylor, 85, a native of Cape Girardeau County and a building contractor in Southeast Missouri, dies at the home of his daughter, Mrs. J.H. Hale, in Chaffee, Mo.; Taylor built about 24 churches in Southeast Missouri during his career, and many school buildings.

100 years ago: Feb. 2, 1907

South Cape Girardeau will have another new business soon; John Metz, the well-known refreshment man who has been conducting a buffet at Dutchtown, but who was recently wiped out by fire, will establish a "wet goods emporium" on his premises near the South Cape Store Co.; he and Henry Osterloh have petitioned the court for a license to conduct the saloon.

James A. Wade, postmaster of Murphysboro, Ill., is in Cape Girardeau, en route to Jackson, where he has important business.

-- Sharon K. Sanders