25 years ago: Dec. 28, 1981

Cape Girardeau County Court turns down a request from Jackson Seniro Center Inc. officials for financial assistance in the purchase of the Lichtenegger Finer Foods store for use as a nutrition center; County Court Presiding Judge Gene Huckstep notes the county is prohibited from contributing public money to private individuals, corporations or associations.

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Perry County Court has awarded a contract to Rickard Construction Co. of Cape Girardeau for construction of a 187-foot long bridge over Saline Creek west of Brewer, Mo.

50 years ago: Dec. 28, 1956

In the election held at Ancell yesterday, only two persons voted against the measure to elevate Ancell from village status to a fourth-class city; the vote in favor of the measure was 102.

Another scenic landmark, one time called the most photographed spot in Southeast Missouri, is giving way to modern-day requirements; it is the scenic bluff on the former South Sprigg Street Road south of the cement plant; 25,000 of stone ill be taken from the bluffs to be used fore the base structure of the floodwall.

75 years ago: Dec. 28, 1931

A one-story frame store building, which will also include a gasoline filling station and general automobile service facilities, is being built on Highway 61 by Pleas Wilkerson; the building is just a short distance north of the interesections of highways 61 and 74.

Highway 61 between West Broadway and Gordonville Road is closed while the Missouri Pacific Railroad tracks are being extended west across the slab; a temporary bridge will be built over the tracks, and the highway will be reopened later today.

100 years ago: Dec. 28, 1906

The annual ball of the Daughters of the Confederacy was held last night at the Elks Hall and proved to be a most successful celebration; the gowns of the women were especially attractive this year.

A report comes from Oran, Mo., that a Christmas night celebration at the Baptist Church was ruthlessly broken up by some thug who fired a shot into the church through a window; the load broke the glass near the Christmas tree and passed near the minister and others.

-- Sharon K. Sanders