Out of the past 2/2/09

25 years ago: Feb. 2, 1984

The Cape Girardeau City Council last night pulled the plug on Cape Cable TV's proposed $3 rate increase, rejecting it by a vote of 6-1; Mayor Howard C. Tooke maintained the cable company could afford to expand programming without increasing the basic monthly charge from $7.50 to $10.50.

James I. Bowman, who managed the startup of the Procter & Gamble Co. plant here 15 years ago and has served as the chief executive at the plant since then, will retire July 31; his responsibilities are being assumed by Ron Miller, plant manager for the past three years.

50 years ago: Feb. 2, 1959

CHAFFEE, Mo. — It is discovered that the Whittaker Hardware Store in Chaffee was burglarized and that the loot included money, guns and ammunition; the money taken amounts to $26.30, and 12 guns and five boxes of .22-caliber ammunition were stolen.

Preliminary plans for Cape Girardeau's No. 1 storm sewer, considered urgent 41 years ago but never built, come before the city council accompanied by a letter from city engineer John R. Walther pleading that the program not be delayed.

75 years ago: Feb. 2, 1934

Trachtenberg's ready-to-wear store, operated by Meyer Trachtenberg, will reopen tomorrow in a new location at 104 N. Main St.; the store formerly was located on the other side of the street in the same block.

Authority is granted to Miles Packing Co. of Cape Girardeau to begin immediately the purchase and processing of beef as part of the federal program to distribute surplus commodities; the company is authorized to purchase, slaughter and pack $2,010 worth of beef in Cape Girardeau in the remainder of February.

100 years ago: Feb. 2, 1909

Postmaster E.W. Flentge has received notice that an examination for rural carriers will be held in Cape Girardeau Feb. 27; such an order is believed to be the forerunner of the establishment of a fourth rural mail route out of the city.

Judge Herman Rabich goes to Jackson in the morning for a session of County Court; he will return to Cape Girardeau in the evening to attend to tomorrow's sewer inspection; he is the chairman of the sewer committee of the city council.

— Sharon K. Sanders