Out of the past 1/11/03

10 years ago: Jan. 11, 1993

Jefferson City -- Throughout his campaign, Mel Carnahan promised his No. 1 priority would be education; in his inaugural address, Carnahan makes it clear he intends to keep that promise; that's good news for Cape Girardeau Superintendent of Schools Neyland Clark, who is among several hundred Southeast Missourians who make trek to Jefferson City.

Freezing drizzle early in day leaves icy glaze on highways and sidewalks, making going rough for motorists and pedestrians alike; ice nearly paralyzes rush-hour traffic; most schools call off classes; Southeast Missouri State University resumes spring semester classes, but officials say attendance is lower than usual because many students couldn't make it to campus.

25 years ago: Jan. 11, 1978

A $1.5 million capital funds drive to build and equip area Cancer Treatment Center in Cape Girardeau was authorized last night by Board of Trustees of Southeast Missouri Hospital; hospital officials say center, which will offer hope for cancer sufferers from wide area, will include linear accelerator, high-energy X-ray machine for treatment of the disease.

Illmo -- Illmo couple, known throughout area for their dog-breeding kennels, lost their home and best breeding stock in fire yesterday, which destroyed 66 dogs of various types; Mr. and Mrs. Ralph W. Henson were at home having coffee and tea, when they smelled smoke coming from breezeway connecting house and garage at their home; best dogs were kept in these two areas.

50 years ago: Jan. 11, 1953

Graduation exercises for 51 seniors in mid-year class at Central High School open with baccalaureate service in evening at Central High auditorium; the Rev. Arno H. Franke, pastor of Christ Evangelical and Reformed Church, preaches baccalaureate sermon; commencement program will be Thursday night, with Stephen N. Limbaugh giving address.

The Rev. Wilbert H. Koenig will soon be wearing new pulpit robe in services at Trinity Lutheran Church; money for garment was given as Christmas remembrance to pastor by auxiliary organizations in church.

75 years ago: Jan. 11, 1928

Meetings of Southeast Missouri residents to discuss flood control for this section will be held in five towns in district within next few days, Black and St. Francis River Commission has decided; towns are Cape Girardeau, New Madrid, Poplar Bluff, Kennett and Caruthersville; commission is of opinion that flood plan offered to Congress doesn't remedy Southeast Missouri situation.

Name of E.W. Duger, included in list of dead in West Frankfort, Ill., coal mine blast of Tuesday, is thought to be Walter Duger, who formerly owned Broadway Barbecue in Cape Girardeau; Duger, with his wife and two children, left Cape Girardeau two years ago and hasn't been heard from since; he and J.A. Berry opened barbecue stand about three years ago.

-- Sharon K. Sanders