Out of the past 1/4/10

25 years ago: Jan. 4, 1985

BENTON, Mo. -- The Cape Girardeau County and Scott County commissions will hold a joint news conference here today to announce their agreement on a resolution for a spring special election on a proposed quarter-cent sales tax to fund development at the Southeast Missouri Regional Port Authority.

Conversion of sections of two downtown Cape Girardeau streets from one- to two-way traffic is delayed because of the recent snowstorm; two blocks of North Water Street between Independence Street and Broadway and one block of South Main Street between Independence and Merriwether streets were to switch from one-way to two-way Monday.

50 years ago: Jan. 4, 1960

Mrs. Shaba Ruppel, 97, said to be Cape Girardeau's oldest resident, died Saturday at her home on Themis Street; she was born June 4, 1862, near Old Appleton.

Robert Hirsch, manager of KFVS12, tells the Rotary Club that possibly within the next six months, a signal will flash from the world's tallest man-made structure, the new KFVS12 tower, 8 1/2 miles northeast of Cape Girardeau; the tower itself, with its 6 1/2-ton antenna on top, will measure 1,676 feet from earth to tip.

75 years ago: Jan. 4, 1935

A proposal to establish a central or cooperative law library in Cape Girardeau has been revived, according to attorneys, who several years ago discussed the matter in detail.

Work begins on placing an asbestos shingle roof on St. Vincent's Catholic Church; it will require 60 squares or 6,000 square feet of roofing to cover the structure; Frank Hohler and Ben Rubel are doing the work.

100 years ago: Jan. 4, 1910

A lengthy letter from L.R. Johnson to the Cape Girardeau City Council was read last night, asking that the tomb of Louis Lorimier and his consort be cared for and preserved in a matter befitting the resting places of the founders of the city; the matter was referred to D.A. Glenn, chairman of the cemetery committee; he was told to use his judgment in properly caring for the graves.

The Missouri Mattress and Glove Manufacturing Co. of Cape Girardeau was recently chartered, with a capital stock of $5,000; the incorporators are J.H., William P. and Corinne Caruthers.

-- Sharon K. Sanders