Out of the past 12/8/03

10 years ago: Dec. 8, 1993

Group of Cape Girardeau auto dealers lost its legal challenge over city's gross sales license tax; Missouri Eastern District Court of Appeals affirmed Circuit Judge A.J. Seier's ruling in favor of city's contention that tax is constitutional.

Cape Girardeau's Ward 6 is first of four municipal races that will require February primary; Richard L. "Butch" Eggimann filed election petition Tuesday, fourth candidate to file in Ward 6.

25 years ago: Dec. 8, 1978

Winter comes to Cape Girardeau area in form of freezing rain, sleet and snow; Cape Girardeau public schools and many surrounding schools, public and parochial, close as result of hazardous road conditions.

Sixth candidate has filed his candidacy for one of two available seats in city council election in April.

50 years ago: Dec. 8, 1953

Twenty-one people, all owners or possible heirs of portion of Houck family holdings, are defendants in suit filed in Common Pleas Court; suit concerns proposed construction in South Cape of Socony-Vacuum Oil Corp. (Mobilgas) bulk station.

At close of Girl Scouts' calendar sale, it was reported that Troop 28, led by Mrs. Lehman Finch, sold 285 calendars, highest number sold by any troop.

75 years ago: Dec. 8, 1928

Mercury skids to new low mark for season at Cape Girardeau; temperature of 14 degrees is recorded in morning, which is two degrees lower than previous low mark for season, established last week.

Expenditures by candidates for office in Cape Girardeau County and by Republican county committee during last campaign totaled $5,434.18, according to statements filed with county recorder; statement of Democratic party hasn't been filed yet.

-- Sharon K. Sanders