Out of the past 2/24/11

25 years ago: Feb. 24, 1986

An Eagle Scout court of honor was held yesterday at Rose Theatre on the campus of Southeast Missouri State University, with 8th District Rep. Bill Emerson acting as class sponsor.

The first Cape Girardeau County grand jury in two-and-a-half years is convened in the afternoon by Presiding Circuit Judge A.J. Seier; the six-man, six-woman jury will investigate a Feb. 2 automobile accident involving a county sheriff's official.

50 years ago: Feb. 24, 1961

An apparent low bid of $8,297,000 for the construction of the 15 1/2-mile link of Interstate 55 in Cape Girardeau County is submitted to the State Highway Commission at Jefferson City; the offer is made jointly by R.B. Potashnick, contractor, and the D.L. Harrison Co., a subsidiary.

Mary Kasten, wife of Cape Girardeau surgeon Dr. Melvin Kasten and mother of two sons, is endorsed by the Business and Professional Women's Club as a candidate for election April 4 to the school board.

75 years ago: Feb. 24, 1936

Softened ice in the Mississippi River at Cape Girardeau still holds in place despite moderation of the weather, but observers say the breakup is only a question of time; since Saturday, the thick layer of ice on the river has been water-soaked, but it hasn't slipped an inch downstream.

Outer Drive in its entirety is closed to traffic by engineer Dennis M. Scivally of the Cape Girardeau Special Road District, who says that permitting traffic to continue over the pavement during the thawing of the frozen roadway will cause great damage.

100 years ago: Feb. 24, 1911

First assistant fire chief Lee Albert, in charge of engine house and fire wagon No. 1, has resigned his position effective March 1; he will engage in other business.

Casey Ransom is remodeling his two-story residence at 319 Good Hope St.; it will be made as convenient as possible, with all modern improvements.

-- Sharon K. Sanders