Out of the past 2/7/12

25 years ago: Feb. 7, 1987

Although not considered a permanent solution, Scott City Mayor Alvie Modglin and police chief Tom Eaton believe they have a way to reduce daily traffic tie-ups on Route M, at the Interstate 55 interchange; in a letter to the chairman of the Missouri Highway Commission, Modglin suggested that the section of east-west Route M (Main Street) in the vicinity of the interstate be widened from two to three lanes, the third lane being for left turns.

Kathryn Newman last night was awarded the Exchange Club's Golden Deeds Award at the annual Chamber of Commerce banquet; Newman has been active in community affairs since her arrival here in 1928.

50 years ago: Feb. 7, 1962

Public housing petitions containing 1,200 signatures have been filed with the city by the Building Trades Council, the leader in efforts to bring the issue to a vote; about 1,500 signatures are required before the city council can call an initiative election to finally resolve the public housing question in Cape Girardeau.

The wheels of commerce spun on golden bearings in Cape Girardeau County last year; the fourth-quarter report of the Missouri Department of Revenue reported sales tax showing business in the county amounted to $9,821,313; this advanced the total county retail sales for the year to $36,934,720; that is $634,996 more than in 1960, the previous all-time high.

75 years ago: Feb. 7, 1937

After having no church services last week because of the establishment of a Red Cross emergency flood-relief hospital in the basement, the First Baptist Church resumes its regular worship schedule, convinced that no danger of contagion exists.

Elmer Haman, the new owner of the big band wagon formerly the proud possession of the American Legion Golden Troopers, says he will probably sell it; Haman bought the 70-year-old wagon from the drum corps, which acquired it a few years ago at Ironton, Mo.

100 years ago: Feb. 7, 1912

Glenn Vandivort of Cape Girardeau has succeeded M.N. Fulgrum as manager of the East Arkansas Lumber Co. in Caruthersville, Mo.; Fulgrum retired on account of his health and returned to Indiana, his former home.

John C. Buerkle, late of the Black Diamond Fuel Co., has bought the grocery business of August Luebbers at 711 Broadway.

-- Sharon K. Sanders