Out of the past 2/25/05

25 years ago: Feb. 25, 1980

Cape Girardeau County Court judges express optimism that a $250,000 federal grant application for expansion of the county jail as a regional facility will be approved by the Missouri Council on Criminal Justice; but that decision might not be made until late August or September.

Missouri Utilities Co. in Cape Girardeau files tariffs with the state Public Service Commission requesting an increase in its electric rates that would essentially "flatten" the current rate structure and follow current trends calling for more efficient use and conservation of energy.

50 years ago: Feb. 25, 1955

The Cape Girardeau County bookmobile committee announces that petitions seeking an election in April on establishment of a county library will be presented to the county court Monday; about 700 names are on the petition, according to George W. Hilpert, chairman of the committee.

Jackson's gasoline price war, thought settled two days ago after a meeting of station operators, flared back into competition again yesterday and is in full force today; W.E. Holifield with Bolch Trackside Station drops his price to 17.9 cents for regular and 19.9 for ethyl.

75 years ago: Feb. 25, 1930

The burning of $78,592.50 worth of redeemed school bonds and interest coupons was executed last night at a meeting of the school board at Central High School; the Cape Girardeau School District now has around $325,000 in outstanding bonds against it, which are being retired at a rate of about $40,000 annually.

Enrollment in Cape Girardeau's public schools has reached a new record by passing the 3,000 mark for the first time.

100 years ago: Feb. 25, 1905

It was revealed at Thursday's meeting of the Commercial Club that a manufacturing company of St. Louis is considering Cape Girardeau as the location of its new plant; the company is the Southern Metal and Manufacturing Co.; local interests would have to purchase $30,000 worth of bonds to secure the deal.

For the last three days, Mr. and Mrs. W.H. Smith of Warrensburg, Mo., have been in Cape Girardeau looking for a site on which to locate greenhouses and gardens; they have been unsuccessful in their efforts.

-- Sharon K. Sanders