Out of the past 12/27/10

25 years ago: Dec. 27, 1985

The Cape Girardeau County Commission asks area residents to donate retired Christmas trees to be used as fish habitats in the lake at Cape County Park South; the trees will be wired together and placed in mesh to serve as spawning habitats for bluegill, catfish and bass.

Paul W. Sander, a lifelong resident of Jackson, has become the first person to file for election to a seat on the Jackson Board of Aldermen in the April municipal election; Sander is a candidate for a two-year term from Ward 3.

50 years ago: Dec. 27, 1960

Ronald Stevens, 15, uses a power saw to cut a log off his father, Adrian Stevens, possibly saving his life; after freeing his father, he pulls off his undershirt and covers a profusely bleeding wound before running a half-mile to the family home to telephone for help; eight area farmers are also notified, and they drop their own work to rush to Stevens' aid.

On Yule holiday here from their military duties are sons of Mr. and Mrs. George Lawrence; Pfc. Richard Lawrence is stationed at Fort Dix, N.J., while recruit Gerald Lawrence is taking basic training at Fort Leonard Wood.

75 years ago: Dec. 27, 1935

Harry W. "Hap" Gaines leaves to accept a position in Washington, D.C.; his first assignment will be with the Treasury Department; this position isn't a political appointment, as Gaines successfully passed a competitive Civil Service Commission exam several months ago.

A program of improvements by the Frisco Railroad for 1936 is to include extensive work by the maintenance department in the River Division; the program calls for replacing of steel on curves on the main line north of Cape Girardeau; the company will spend $1,875,513 for the improvements in the coming year.

100 years ago: Dec. 27, 1910

Workers complete the trestle across the government levee south of here, built by the Cape Girardeau & Thebes Terminal Railroad; trains will run over it starting tomorrow.

M.E. Lesem, who has purchased the Bierwirth Cigar factory on Main Street, is remodeling the place by putting in new fixtures and equipment, and will increase the output of the factory by using more cigar makers; in addition to the force now employed, he will add six young women, who are expert cigar makers.

-- Sharon K. Sanders