Out of the past 3/15/05

25 years ago: March 15, 1980

ULLIN, Ill. -- Noting that each first lady approaches the role differently, Nancy Reagan told a news conference here last night that she wouldn't take a direct role in policy making should her husband become president.

Henry W. Hohler, 85, composing room foreman at The Southeast Missourian for many years and an employee of the newspaper 44 years, died last night at the Chateau Girardeau Health Center.

50 years ago: March 15, 1955

The Jackson school board last night decided to call an election again on school district bonds, the voting to take place April 5; the amount proposed again will be $400,000, which would allow construction of more classrooms in Jackson to correct overcrowding and also permit additions to schools at Pocahontas, Fruitland and Burfordville.

The city of Cape Girardeau enters into an agreement with the State Highway Department for maintenance of Highway 74 through the city.

75 years ago: March 15, 1930

Kidnapped, robbed, forced to ride 125 miles in a bandit-fast automobile, two brothers, Russell and Austin Nelson of Millersville, are released in a St. Louis suburb early today by two robbers, who five hours earlier held up and robbed their filling station on U.S. 61 in the northwest section of Cape Girardeau County.

The resignation of the Rev. C.D. Lathrop, rector of Christ Episcopal Church, was formally accepted last night at a meeting of the congregation.

100 years ago: March 15, 1905

Married men of Cape Girardeau are happy to have wives to trim their hair, as the city barbers raise their prices: Shave, 15 cents; haircut, 35 cents; and shampoo, 35 cents.

It is said the steamer Chester will come off the ways at Paducah, Ky., the latter part of this week; it will immediately go into the local trade, and Cape Girardeau will have three more boats a week.

-- Sharon K. Sanders