Out of the past 1/12/03

10 years ago: Jan. 12, 1993

Cargo moved through Southeast Missouri Regional Port on Mississippi River near Scott City increased substantially in 1992; at meeting yesterday, new board of commissioners chairman, Mysie Keene, said total tonnage moved in and out of port last year increased more than 50 percent over 1991.

New director has been named for Cape Girardeau Public Library; Elizabeth R. Ader of Lee's Summit will begin duties as library director April 1, filling vacancy created by departure of Terry Risko in June.

25 years ago: Jan. 12, 1978

Hayti, Mo. -- More than 100 farm tractors rolled across Interstate 155 bridge and into Tennessee after violent confrontation here Wednesday afternoon that left highway patrolman injured and seven striking farmers in jail; incident occurred at interchange of I-155 and Interstate 55, when about 60 Highway Patrol officers attempted to have slow-moving vehicles removed from interstate in accordance with governor's instructions.

Winter's first significant snow begins covering area, and accumulation is expected to be two to four inches; schools in Southern Illinois, Bootheel and most of region are canceled; Cape Girardeau public and parochial schools, however, remain in session.

50 years ago: Jan. 12, 1953

Morris Shaltupsky, 95, who operated store in Cape Girardeau many years, died yesterday at family home, 404 Bellevue; born in Grodno, Poland in 1857, Shaltupsky came to American in 1903 and in 1914 came to Cape Girardeau, establishing shoe store at 122 N. Main; until past several years, he was familiar figure on Broadway as he made daily trips to business operated by members of family at 411 Broadway.

Indicating importance of question involved, Missouri Supreme Court will consider appeal of suit from Scott County in which transportation of Catholic school pupils in public school bus is an issue; case brought by taxpayers against Commerce School District and school board seeks to restrain board from hauling pupils attending St. Denis School in Benton.

75 years ago: Jan. 12, 1928

Perilous, 70-mile, all-night ride down ice-clogged Mississippi River on runaway barge ends in Cape Girardeau early in morning for two St. Louis men, when barge is towed to bank after long battle with treacherous ice floes; buffeted by ice, barge floundered in stream for hours as men, chilled by cold, built fire from timber torn from barge, and took turns calling for help.

Repairs on bridge over Diversion Channel on Highway 25 south of Dutchtown were completed Wednesday, and bridge, closed three weeks, is reopened to traffic.

-- Sharon K. Sanders