Out of the past 12/18/11

25 years ago: Dec. 18, 1986

Development of a parks master plan and substantial renovations to Capaha Park lagoon are among the top capital improvement priorities of the city's Parks and Recreation Advisory Board; three other capital improvement projects being recommended by the advisory board are: development of parking lots in the parks, Arena Building kitchen improvements and construction of a new chemical room for the Central swimming pool.

Professional opera singer Judith Farris, who is originally from Cape Girardeau, was one of the featured vocal soloists in two holiday performances of Handel's "Messiah" at the 8,000-seat Salt Lake Tabernacle at Salt Lake City.

50 years ago: Dec. 18, 1961

Senseless damage to grave markers in Old Lorimier Cemetery is being investigated again by police; a member of the Cape Girardeau Historical Society discovered the damage yesterday, with most of the vandalism being done in the southwest sector of the old burial ground.

A direct line of succession, three deep, for the mayor and four commissioners in event of mass disaster is established by the city council; to succeed them in case of nuclear war or other catastrophe, councilmen name as their successors top men in their departments.

75 years ago: Dec. 18, 1936

EAST PRAIRIE, Mo. -- Virgin timber -- oak, cypress and gum -- from big tracts recently sold from the Gilcrist Three States woods east and south of here are being cut and trucked out; an effort may be made to start a fund to buy the mammoth oak tree, described locally as one of the largest in the country, in order to preserve the giant.

Allen L. Oliver, a Cape Girardeau lawyer, has accepted an appointment as colonel on the staff of Gov.-elect Lloyd C. Stark.

100 years ago: Dec. 18, 1911

Displayed in the window of The Daily Republican is a splendid specimen of an American bald eagle; it was brought in by M.G. Wagner, who with James Adams killed it Saturday on the river near Neelys Landing; the bird measures 7 feet, 8 inches from wing tip to wing tip.

J.C. Buerkle, Hugo Pfeister and J.F. Masterson arrive home on the Gulf train from their hunting trip; they are elated to bring back their guns and dogs; the game all escaped.

-- Sharon K. Sanders