Out of the past 12/30/06

25 years ago: Dec. 30, 1981

Cape Girardeau City Manager Gary Eide says he is "getting close" to naming a new police chief and indicates an announcement may come before the end of the week; the department has been under the leadership of Capt. Donald R. Roberts since chief Henry H. Gerecke resigned in September.

Cape Girardeau Central High Tigers defeat the Kelly High Hawks, 67-62, before a packed crowd of 2,400 at Houck Field House to claim their second consecutive title in the University High Christmas Tournament.

50 years ago: Dec. 30, 1956

The former Dempsey family home, just west of the Episcopal church on Themis Street in Cape Girardeau, is being torn down; cherry and poplar lumber is being found in the interior of the dwelling, which is owned by Mike Shaltupsky.

In new quarters in the north addition to the Trinity Lutheran School plant, the Lutheran bowling alleys will be opened formally to the public on Jan. 1; operated for years by the Men's Club of the church, the first set of two alleys was installed in 1925.

75 years ago: Dec. 30, 1931

Rain, beginning shortly before midnight and continuing uninterrupted early today, floods Cape Girardeau streets and seriously hampers traffic in the rural sections by overflowing small streams and making dirt roads muddy.

Fifty years of service as pastor of St. Mary's Catholic Church are commemorated in the evening at a banquet honoring the Rev. Eberhard Pruente; about 200 members of the parish and other friends of the aged priest are in attendance.

100 years ago: Dec. 30, 1906

At the morning Mass at St. Mary's Catholic Church, the 25-year connection of the Rev. E. Pruente with the parish is celebrated with an appropriate sermon by the Rev. F.X. Feeley, president of St. Vincent's College; a special feature of the service is the blessing of two new statues which have been installed in the church; they represent the Apostles Peter and Paul.

The usual services are held at the Methodist Church, with the Rev. E.T. Adams, pastor, presiding; he preaches on "Our Greatest Gifts."

-- Sharon K. Sanders