Out of the past: Dec. 22

1990

Friday's day-long rain turns into freezing rain early this morning with the advent of a slow-moving arctic cold front; the frozen precipitation quickly coats highways and bridges, causing a large number of motor vehicle accidents in Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois.

Clara Schafer's sewing machine has been humming since October as she pieced 100 quilt tops. She made the tops as part of the St. Mary Cathedral Council of Catholic Women's lap-blanket and baby-quilt project.

1965

The Jackson City Council last night issued a statement of policy toward unions and employees' membership in unions. The statement recognized the right of employees to join a union and set up machinery for recognition of union representatives but held the city will remain an "open shop" where employees do not have to be union members.

Eight acres of land on the south side of the 2000 block of Independence Street have been purchased by Crites and Sailer Construction Co. and Charles N. Harrison, the site to be used for the construction of a shopping facility. The tract has been owned for 25 years by the Semo Body and Salvage Co.

1940

The Christmas observance at Centenary Methodist Church is brought to a climax in the evening with the presentation of the annual Christmas play in the church auditorium. Mrs. James A. Waller, director of the senior choir, arranged the choral program, Rush H. Limbaugh Jr. sings the solo part of the anthem, and Mrs. M.E. Leming Jr. sings the offertory solo. Mrs. E.R. Fleshner is violinist; narrator is Rush H. Limbaugh Sr.

The Methodist congregation at Laflin, Missouri, in Bollinger County recently decided not to repair its house of worship, which is becoming unfit for use. The entire congregation has transferred its membership to Barks Chapel congregation near Whitewater.

1915

The Chero-Cola plant on South Spanish Street was damaged slightly last night when a fire broke out in the office of the business. The books of the company were burned to ashes.

Jack Williams, the "human fly," should be swatted; at least, that's what some people think. After telling all he would climb the H.-H. Building last night, fully 2,000 people gathered to watch the feat, but Williams refused to start his climb until the crowd gave up some cash. He began climbing after $20 was raised, using a rope to get to the second floor. He eventually reached the fifth floor, but by then the crowd had dispersed.

-- Sharon K. Sanders