25 years ago: Dec. 27, 1980

County court officials still haven't decided whether they will appeal the decision of a St. Francois County Circuit Court which awarded damages to three defendants in the Allenville bridge trial on Dec. 17; the jury awarded a total of $14,000 in damages, ruling in effect, that the old truss bridge collapsed on April 14, 1977, as a result of improper maintenance by the county court.

Despite inflation and rising interest rates, Cape Girardeau shoppers continued to open their pocketbooks this Christmas buying season; merchants here say toys, clothes, jewelry and appliances topped shoppers' lists this year.

50 years ago: Dec. 27, 1955

There's a fine furor building up in some Missouri counties because the Frisco Railroad and other utilities are refusing to pay certain special taxes, including special road district levies; but Cape Girardeau County isn't one of them.

One man sustained burns as he fled from his blazing dwelling, another building was damaged by fire, and firemen answered nine other blazes, most of them grass fires, over the holiday period; Henry Morrison sustained burns as his house on Giboney Street was destroyed by fire yesterday.

75 years ago: Dec. 27, 1930

The price of hot tamales, as vended by Frank Carroll, has dropped 50 percent in price; they were selling at 40 cents per dozen and are now 20 cents per dozen; Carroll, who in his many years in Cape Girardeau has also sold bananas, says the price is the lowest in his recollection.

The Missouri Public Service Commission late yesterday ordered construction of a filter plant by the Missouri Utilities Co. for the Cape Girardeau water system; the construction is to be started within the next 30 days.

100 years ago: Dec. 27, 1905

A meeting of shareholders of the Western Manufacturing & Lumber Co. is to be called early next year to consider locating the factory that was planned for Cape Girardeau at another place; the company purchased a lot on Henderson with the intention of building a large sash and door factory and planing mill on the site; however, a public alley runs through the property, and an alderman has told company officials that the city would not consider abandoning the alley; therefore, one of the smaller sawmill towns may get this mill.

A regular schedule is being maintained by streetcars on the Main and William streets line.

-- Sharon K. Sanders