Out of the past: Jan. 1

1990

Aside from accidents caused by icy roads, area law enforcement authorities report an uneventful New Year's Eve; ice-covered roads became a bane for travelers last night and this morning; Cape Girardeau police say ice contributed to several accidents in the city.

The listed value of construction here in 1989 was below the decade's highest total for any one year, which was $25.7 million in 1988; but it was above the $20 million figure for the fifth straight year; a total of $21.6 million was spent on construction in Cape Girardeau in 1989, with commercial buildings accounting for almost half of the total.

1965

The first day of 1965 is shrouded by fog, and traffic is sparse; heavy rain fell yesterday evening, and today's temperature climbs into the high 60s.

A fire which starts from an electric heater under a bed causes heavy damage to a residence at 1816 Thilenius in the morning; Mrs. Lucille Hagan, the owner and occupant to the two-story house, isn't at home when the fire is discovered.

1940

Two unidentified fishermen, their tiny skiff bumped about by the heavy ice floes in the Mississippi River, narrowly escape with their lives in the evening; onlookers, as darkness descends, see the plight of the men and summon the Corps of Engineers for help; the two manage to abandon their jon boat near the Leming lumber mill and make it safely to shore.

Whether wildlife conservation had anything to do with it or not, the fact is that three species long extinct in this county have again shown up; last week, a four-prong deer was seen making his way east near Pocahontas; some quail hunters in the New Bethel community saw at least one wild turkey; and three prairie chickens were spotted near New Wells on the farm of Judge Charles Starzinger.

1915

New Year's Day worship services are held at Trinity Lutheran Church and St. Vincent's Catholic Church; the Rev. Thomas F. Levan, C.M., pastor of St. Vincent's, announces Pope Pius X has issued a special decree allowing Catholics to eat meat today, a Friday.

The McMurry Construction Co. is making things hum along the riverfront these nice days; today it breaks the record for putting in concrete; nearly 150 yards of concrete are dumped into the big forms for the sea wall in 10 hours; a second mixing machine is being assembled, and within a few days another crew will be started.

-- Sharon K. Sanders