Out of the past 2/23/04

10 years ago: Feb. 23, 1994

Gerald Jones and Allen Moss spent Monday night in their vehicles outside Cape Girar-deau County Administration Building to make sure they were first to file for county offices they hope to win this year; Jones is one of three Republicans who field for presiding commissioner yesterday, and Moss is one of two Republicans filing for Division IV associate circuit judge.

Because she couldn't serve full four-year term before reaching mandatory judicial retirement age, County Associate Circuit Judge Marybelle Mueller isn't seeking re-election this year.

25 years ago: Feb. 23, 1979

New crawler-dozer is driven through wall, door and window at ERB Industrial Equipment Co., 1421 S. Boulevard, causing estimated $8,000 damage to building; it had been parked about 200 feet from the wall and apparently is driven around lot before being crashed into building.

Heavy rain that saturated area has turned many roads into quagmires, washed out small bridges and closed schools in Neelyville and Bloomfield school districts.

50 years ago: Feb. 23, 1954

City engineer Lyman Harrison is preparing plans and specifications for paving of two blocks of Good Hope between Louisiana Avenue and Minnesota Avenue, following presentation of petitions by property owners to city council yesterday.

CAIRO, Ill. -- Following conferences with highway commissions in Missouri and Illinois, which will take over span, it is announced that traffic bridge over Mississippi River here will be made free of tolls on May 22.

75 years ago: Feb. 23, 1929

Recognizing that many farmers this spring will be unable to finance their operations, Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce has proposed establishing Intermediate Credit Bank in Southeast Missouri capable of lending minimum of $1,000,000 to help farmers finance their crops this year.

New orange and black striped awning is being installed over new J.C. Penney Co. store on Main Street, adding to attractiveness of building.

-- Sharon K. Sanders