Out of the past 1/28/09

25 years ago: Jan. 28, 1984

Southeast Missouri State University's new admission standards commission, chaired by Dr. Leslie Cochran, holds its initial meeting at the University Center; the commission is considering possible changes in admission requirements.

Jackson officials aren't optimistic they'll be able to afford the asking price for the rail spur between Jackson and Delta; negotiations between the Missouri Pacific Railroad and the Jackson Industrial Development Co. ended without an agreement by a federally mandated deadline.

50 years ago: Jan. 28, 1959

Elizabeth Probst, professor Russell J. Michel and Mrs. Chester Smith are selected as the winners in the Jaycees Civic Survey with their suggested projects: to help Cape Girardeau get a new teen town, to set up a summer playground for boys and girls and to light the lagoon at Capaha Park.

Magnus Dempsey, the last immediate member of the pioneer Dempsey family, dies at St. Joseph's Infirmary in Eureka, Mo., at age 86; for many years Dempsey was associated with the Dempsey Grocer Co., which was founded by his father in the 1860s.

75 years ago: Jan. 28, 1934

The "mark of the beast," a subject most preachers shy from, is discussed in the evening at Red Star Baptist Tabernacle by the pastor, the Rev. W.E. Hicks; he preaches on the topic only on the insistence of his congregation.

The trustees of Old McKendree Chapel west of Cape Girardeau have granted permission to the people of the community to use the building for Sunday school purposes; plans are also being made to hold preaching services there occasionally.

100 years ago: Jan. 28, 1909

Once more the superiority of the Missouri mule has been acknowledged; Cape Girardeau County Sheriff W.F. Schade, who is also a breeder of fine mules, received an order from a breeding company in Farmerville, La., for two jacks, with instructions to ship carefully and promptly.

The concussion felt in Cape Girardeau in the morning isn't of seismic origin; the cause is simply the tumbling of big Ed Regenhardt into the basement of the new city hall building, which is under construction on Independence Street; the contractor isn't seriously injured.

-- Sharon K. Sanders