Out of the past 10/19/02

10 years ago: Oct. 19, 1992

Environmental Protection Agency has completed first phase of $2 million project to clean up Kem-Pest Superfund site near Cape Girardeau; plans for second phase of cleanup - which will include on-going plan to monitor ground water and determine how best to remove contaminates from Kem-Pest Laboratories building - should be completed soon.

Split Cape Girardeau City Council votes 4-3 to oppose election ballot initiative that would scrap at-large council elections in lieu of zone representation; council in September unanimously voted to place issue on Nov. 3 ballot after citywide petition secured sufficient signatures to put matter before voters.

25 years ago: Oct. 19, 1977

Group of seven youths has been detained in connection with 17 burglaries and two grand larcenies committed in Cape Girardeau between May and Monday night; estimated $6,000 worth of merchandise was stolen in burglaries, and damage to buildings is estimated at $1,000 or $2,000.

Clean-out of Cape LaCroix Creek is officially ordered by city council, with project expected to be completed before start of rainy season next spring; estimated cost of project is $81,600, assuming that estimated 60 working days is required to do work; Bond and Simpson firm of Illmo Route 1 will get contract for job.

50 years ago: Oct. 19, 1952

The Church of Christ, meeting in its new building at Bloomfield and Boulevard for first time, also has new minister - William R. Nance; Nance was formerly minister of Church of Christ at Mitchellville, Tenn., and associate minister of Broadway Church of Christ at Paducah, Ky.

The Rev. William F. Chappell, pastor of Bible Baptist Church, is back in pulpit for regular worship services; Chappell was ill and confined to his home past 10 days; in his absence, Ellis Whittaker, layman of church, and the Rev. Vick Fuller of Paducah, Ky., conducted worship services.

75 years ago: Oct. 19, 1927

Plasterers expect to finish their work this week on new funeral home being erected for Walther's at corner of Bellevue and Middle streets; earth from excavation being made for new Marquette Hotel is being used to make the fill about the new building; contractor, Arthur Gerhardt, expects to finish building about Nov. 1.

Organization of orchestra, to be composed entirely of women and known as Melody Maids, was recently announced by Raymond "Peg" Meyer; new orchestra will make its debut over radio soon and will also play for local dances; orchestra is composed of Mrs. Raymond Meyer, Lucille Baloun, Fern Smith, Mrs. Harold Shaul, and Lorraine Senn.

- Sharon K. Sanders