Out of the past 3/4/12

25 years ago: March 4, 1987

The flag is flying again at the Cape County Park veterans memorial; Chuck Wolters of Jackson spent about three and a half hours atop the 70-foot flagpole yesterday repairing a pulley system that broke two weeks ago, bringing the huge flag to the ground.

The appointments of four new captains to the Cape Girardeau Fire Department have been announced: Mike Carlton, Ron Kistner, Stephen Niswonger and Fred Vincel.

50 years ago: March 4, 1962

In the evening, John E. Burciaga, son of Mr. and Mrs. J.R. Burciaga of Cape Girardeau, is ordained to the full gospel ministry in a special service at the First Baptist Church; he is a native of Cape Girardeau.

Dr. A.C. Magill, retired director of the State College Science Department, believes the feared effects of radioactive fallout to be exaggerated; he made the statement in reference to President Kennedy's announcement that the U.S. will resume nuclear testing in the atmosphere.

75 years ago: March 4, 1937

Spring will bring a shortage of benches to Cape Girardeau's parks; the fire Feb. 11 that wiped out the Community Clubhouse in Fairground Park also burned up 113 of the city's park benches; 62 benches were stored elsewhere and will provide seats for members of the "philosophers' club," which daily meets under the trees at Courthouse Park.

A barber pole swiped by pranksters Dec. 13 from in front of the Jennings Tallent barber shop on Broadway is found in the evening in front of the home of police chief Herbert F. Wickham.

100 years ago: March 4, 1912

Architect Walter S. Slifer is advertising for sealed proposals for the furnishing of material and labor of all kinds necessary for the construction of a five-story, reinforced concrete hotel building for George McBride of Cape Girardeau; the hotel will be built on the corner of Broadway and Fountain Street, where the Idan-ha Hotel now stands.

E.P. Thomas and Henry Young of the Southeast Missouri Undertaking Co. have returned from St. Louis, where they bought a span of fine iron gray horses for their big ambulance; they also bought another fine black horse, which will give them a handsome team for their hearse.

-- Sharon K. Sanders