Out of the past 2/20/02

10 years ago: Feb. 20, 1992

Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau advisory board last night gave CVB staff nod to "go ahead with business as usual"; resolution, which was unanimously approved by board, was in response to questions by CVB Director Lyn Muzzy concerning level of budgeting for bureau for 1992-93.

Southeast Missouri State University students living in Towers West dormitory will have to foot bill for vandalism to two elevators in building unless those responsible for damage are found; number of buttons were removed from control panels of elevators, and electrical systems were rewired so that one elevator stopped on even floors and other on odd floors.

25 years ago: Feb. 20, 1977

The Rev. Tellis Young, ordained Baptist minister of many years experience, has been hired by Red Star Baptist Church as new director of outreach; Young is no stranger to Cape Girardeau, as he was baptized at Red Star in 1933.

Sikeston - Committee will be formed next week to push for location of Missouri's new medium security prison either in Scott County or near Sikeston; local citizens will make up committee, which will inform Gov. Joseph P. Teasdale that Scott County wants to be site of new prison, and to answer public's questions about new prison.

50 years ago: Feb. 20, 1952

For second time in four years, and by greater majority than in previous election, Cape Girardeau voters yesterday defeated proposal that city manager form of government replace commission form under which city has operated for past 34 years.

All bars are down and gate is open for anticipated stampede of candidates for city offices, who had been corralled by just-decided city manager question; first to file petitions are two incumbents, Mayor Walter H. Ford and Cleo Johns, commissioner of fire and health, who are completing their first four-year terms in office.

75 years ago: Feb. 20, 1927

Contract, calling for sale of present Baptist church building at Broadway and Spanish to newly organized General Baptist congregation, has been signed; building will be abandoned by First Baptist congregation within few weeks, when it moves to new building on West Broadway.

Mrs. Louisa Houck Brucher, 83, former resident of Cape Girardeau and sister of late Louis Houck, dies at Rolla, where for past year she has lived with her eldest daughter, Mrs. C.L. Studley; she is survived by five sons and four daughters.

-- Sharon K. Sanders