Out of the past 2/7/08

25 years ago: Feb. 7, 1983

Gov. Kit Bond appoints two new members to the Southeast Missouri State University Board of Regents, taking the place of members whose terms have expired; appointed are Anne R. Bradshaw of Cape Girardeau and Hazel K. Schilly of Crystal City, Mo.

The Rev. Bascom L. Patrick, 86, of Cape Girardeau died yesterday at his home following an 18-month illness; Patrick was a retired Southern Baptist minister who preached at various churches in Illinois and Missouri between 1920 and 1970.

50 years ago: Feb. 7, 1958

The city of Cape Girardeau and Main Street Levee Improvement District file motions in Common Pleas Court asking dismissal of a suit brought by L.R. Cain and Benjamin Dietrich seeking to halt construction of the Main Street floodwall.

A four-room frame dwelling at 826 S. Boulevard, occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Robert Barton and their four children, was destroyed by fire with all its contents last night; the family was away from home at the time.

75 years ago: Feb. 7, 1933

A new cold wave, which brings with it ice and snow and a 26-degree temperature drop in six hours, sweeps down on Cape Girardeau. The mercury falls from 44 degrees at 8 a.m. to 18 degrees at 2 p.m.; sleet and snow begin falling at noon.

The question of fixing rates for future electric service in Cape Girardeau will be left entirely up to the Public Service Commission, the city council decides. This follows an earlier negotiation with Missouri Utilities Co. officials; it is agreed that no further attempt will be made to reach an agreement with the company.

100 years ago: Feb. 7, 1908

Officials with the Cape and Chester Railroad say a contract is about to be signed for the building of a special motor car for the road, to be operated between Cape Girardeau and Jackson; the gasoline-powered vehicle will run on rails between the two towns. It will seat 20 passengers easily.

W.H. Miller, president of the Southeast Missouri Trust Co., says by mutual consent of the stockholders of the German-American Bank, Thomas M. Williams has been named as a liquidating agent to close the affairs of the latter institution.

-- Sharon K. Sanders