Out of the past 2/16/10

25 years ago: Feb. 16, 1985

Participants in a groundbreaking yesterday for Saint Francis Medical Center's $1.25 million cardiopulmonary diagnostic and education building found it necessary to use torches to thaw the ground before being able to turn the first shovel full of dirt.

Preliminary construction has begun on Andrew's Restaurant and Lounge, which is expected to open in April in Plaza Galleria; Andrew M. Dirnberger and the management of Plaza Galleria recently finalized leasing arrangements for space on the east end of the indoor skating rink.

50 years ago: Feb. 16, 1960

In a meeting of the Jackson Schookl Board, the contract of Russell O. Hawkins as superintendent is renewed for a one-year period; Hawkins has been with the school district for 31 years, 22 years as superintendent.

A crowd of 250 gathers at the Arena Building for a dinner honoring pioneer Boy Scout leaders of Cape Girardeau; speaking at the gathering is Russell L. Dearmont, president of the Missouri Pacific Railroad and one of the organizers of the first Scout council in Southeast Missouri.

75 years ago: Feb. 16, 1935

The sale of a 350-acre farm on Highway 25 near Arbor by the Sturdivant Bank, to W.H. Campbell of Cape Girardeau, for $14,000, is approved by Judge Frank Kelly in Circuit Court; the land is known as the Ivans farm.

Lou Weiss has been advised to report for spring training with the Longview, Texas, baseball club of the West Dixie League on March 11; the club, a farm team of the Chicago White Sox, will train in Dallas.

100 years ago: Feb. 16, 1910

WASHINGTON -- A contract for the furniture for the federal courtroom and offices in the new federal building and post office in Cape Girardeau has been awarded to Maly Bros. of Cincinnati at $1,055; furniture for the post office department has already been supplied.

The Waters-Pierce Oil Co. will have competition in Cape Girardeau soon, as the St. Louis Oil Co. is arranging to put up a tank here; the tank will be placed on the line of the Cape Girardeau & Chester Railroad in the west end of the city.

-- Sharon K. Sanders