Out of the past 12/20/11

25 years ago: Dec. 20, 1986

A hidden treasure has been found by renovators at Craftsman Office Supply, 835 Broadway; as workers were tearing a brick veneer off the building last week, they uncovered an old Coca-Cola advertisement painted on an original wall; the sign, about 50 years old, won't be preserved.

Ruth Ann Dickerson, who has been affiliated with the Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Department since 1983, has been given the 1986 Timothy J. Ruopp Award.

50 years ago: Dec. 20, 1961

Fred L. Henley, Caruthersville, Mo., lawyer and former Circuit Court judge, appears to be Gov. John M. Dalton's choice for chairman of the State Highway Commission, a post vacated last month by Leo Fischer of Parma, Mo.; S. Crews Reynolds of Caruthersville, Mo., the governor's first choice, has removed himself from contention.

A family connection with State College that extended over 60 years was severed with the announced retirement of Lilly Brucher Gehrs, a member of the home economics faculty since 1939.

75 years ago: Dec. 20, 1936

Both morning and evening services at Centenary Methodist Church are devoted to Christmas; in connection with a program of Christmas music by the choir, directed by J.C. Brandt with Mrs. Brandt at the organ, Dr. R.H. Daugherty, the pastor, delivers a Christmas sermon in the morning.

The Rev. Hobart Peterson, new pastor at Red Star Baptist Church, preaches his first sermon in the morning; Peterson came here from Brookport, Ill.; before going into the ministry, he was a barber.

100 years ago: Dec. 20, 1911

Postmaster E.W. Flentge has secured a special Santa Claus wagon to make the rounds of the city delivering Christmas parcels; on Christmas day, mail carriers will make one delivery in the morning, and the Santa wagon will also make one delivery with parcels.

After vainly seeking relief from tuberculosis in other climates, August Schievelbein returned to Cape Girardeau on Monday night to the home of his mother, Caroline Schievelbein; this morning he died, a victim of the dread disease.

-- Sharon K. Sanders