25 years ago: Dec. 7, 1980

The former location of SEMO Museum, 127 Water St., is being transformed into the Cafe Madder Rose; the building was purchased by John and Evelyn Boardman from Hutson Brothers Trust and is being extensively remodeled; the Madder Rose will be a wine and coffeehouse, serving select wines, fine coffees, French pastries and specialty sandwiches.

The terms of two Southeast Missouri State University regents expire at the end of the year and one of them, Elvis A. Mooney of Bloomfield, Mo., has indicated he doesn't want to be reappointed to a six-year term.

50 years ago: Dec. 7, 1955

Common Pleas Judge J. Henry Caruthers, who served on the bench longer than any of his predecessors in the 104-year history of the court, died yesterday after a brief illness.

The former steamer Cape Girardeau, once the pride of the town whose name it bore, is on the auction block again, and two cities are bidding for it; interests at Memphis, Tenn., have an option to buy the old packet, but this option expires at midnight Saturday; in addition, a syndicate at Baton Rouge, La., is prepared to buy the boat unless Memphis, or some other community, acts.

75 years ago: Dec. 7, 1930

The problem of extending relief to the poor of the church and immediate vicinity is discussed in an afternoon meeting of deacons of the Red Star Baptist Church; some definite relief has already been extended to some families, and clothes, money and food are being received by church officials for distribution to the worthy poor.

Approximately 1,700 people hear William E. "Pussyfoot" Johnson, internationally known speaker on the subject of Prohibition, and Lt. Col. F.B. Ebbert, also a prominent lecturer, uphold the 18th Amendment and condemn liquor at a public meeting at the First Baptist Church.

100 years ago: Dec. 7, 1905

Pleasure-loving people of Cape Girardeau will be furnished with a new sport this winter; by Saturday, the armory will be prepared for roller skating; in Chicago and St. Louis immense palaces have been built this year exclusively for roller skating, and they are crowded all the time; roller skating parties are the fad; Company K is behind the local project.

J. Ross Sweiger and J.H. Armstrong of Memphis, Tenn., are opening up a book store in the vacant store room of the Riverview Hotel.

-- Sharon K. Sanders