Out of the past 2/4/10

25 years ago: Feb. 4, 1985

With a forecast of snow and only one item on the ballot in the special election, voter turnout is expected be light in tomorrow's election in Cape Girardeau; voters will decide the fate of a $1.4 million bond issue to finance city sewer improvements.

Cape Girardeau police are investigating two minor fires in the city jail last night believed to have been set by a group of federal prisoners; in the first instance, inmates apparently set fire to the contents of a trash can; shortly after, bedding in a cell area was set afire.

50 years ago: Feb. 4, 1960

Burglars, deemed by officers to be professionals, were foiled in their attempt at burglarizing the J.C. Penney Co. store, 5 N. Main St., last night, when they ran up against a safe too tough to crack; working methodically, the yeggs attempted various methods of opening the safe, but all failed; it is thought the approach of daylight may have brought their venture to an end.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Testimony covering parts of three weeks by two groups seeking to form a third bank in Cape Girardeau comes to an end at midafternoon; it will take about two weeks for transcripts of the hearings to be compiled, after which the State Banking Board make its decision.

75 years ago: Feb. 4, 1935

Bids are received by Julius Stern, owner of the Broadway Fruit Market building, 616 Broadway, for the remodeling of the front of the structure, which was badly damaged Jan. 9 by an explosion; there will be two ground-floor entrances and a center entrance for two upper floors; black carrara glass and stucco will be used on the front of the structure.

Taking heed of Horace Greeley's admonition, Frank Reynolds and John Job took off yesterday in a 1922 Model T Ford coupe, bound for California.

100 years ago: Feb. 4, 1910

Cape Girardeau County is fast becoming recognized as one of the important mule counties of the state; no other man is doing more for the county's reputation that W.F. Schade; he is arranging for a big sale of fine animals.

The shoe factory continues to advertise for more girls; it has added quite a number to its forces lately, but 100 more are needed.

-- Sharon K. Sanders