Out of the past 1/24/04

10 years ago: Jan. 24, 1994

For past four years number of criminal cases filed by Cape Girardeau County prosecutor's office has leveled off, increasing only by few dozen every year; in 1992 office filed 1,434 charges against people committing crimes within county; in 1993, that number rose to 1,453.

SEMO Lifesavers, pro-life group, plans to erect 3,400 crosses on land near Interstate 55 to mark anniversary of Roe vs. Wade Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion.

25 years ago: Jan. 24, 1979

Winter whipped into area again last night, leaving coat of ice topped by three inches of new snow; Cape Girardeau area, however, escaped brunt of onslaught; highways were impassable in many parts of state, and as much as five inches of snow fell in northern and western portions of Missouri.

ORAN, Mo. - Oran farmer and civic leader, Leon T. Schlitt, 56, was killed yesterday when he was attacked by bull on his farm.

50 years ago: Jan. 24, 1954

Eddie Erlbacher Foundry and Machine Shop, 1300 N. Water, was destroyed by fire last night; only broken walls, jumble of sheet metal and wreckage of expensive machine tools remain; large crowds flocked to blaze, hindering efforts of firefighters.

Heavy fog halts boat and barge traffic on Mississippi River in afternoon.

75 years ago: Jan. 24, 1929

Adoption of single plan to be fostered by Southeast Missouri district in securing necessary legislation to protect this section from floods of Mississippi River is urged by Congressman J. Short, who is in Cape Girardeau on inspection tour before going to Washington.

Broadway is river again today; most of day, water has been so deep at intersections that pedestrians can hardly get from one side to another; situation has been same for years and will continue until surface water system is installed to drain away rain water.

-- Sharon K. Sanders