Out of the past 10/20/02

10 years ago: Oct. 20, 1992

Weather conditions have been good for Southeast Missouri farmers this fall; Terry Birk of Agriculture Stabilization and Conservation Service office at Jackson says some corn has yielded 240 bushels an acre and soybeans 60 bushels an acre; early cotton harvests in Bootheel area of Missouri were slowed by rains last week, but have shown good early production figures.

There will be Christmas decorations this year in Jackson business district and along East Jackson Boulevard; that was assured Monday when board of aldermen voted 8-0 to donate $10,000 to community-wide fund drive to purchase new Christmas decorations; city's donation will match $10,000 that was raised in community during five-month campaign, coordinated by Jackson Chamber of Commerce.

25 years ago: Oct. 20, 1977

Southeast Missouri State University administrators are reviewing food service operations in light of increasing food prices, anticipated higher wages for employees, and with eye to improve food quality; some changes in cafeteria operations are expected, possibly by spring semester.

Revolutionary who hanged herself in German prison this week following aborted hijacking which ended in Somalia, Africa, is recalled by Cape Girardeau woman as quiet, intelligent person with fondness for art; Gudrun Ensslin, member of Baader-Meinhof gang, German anarchist group, lived with parents of Mrs. Anne Samuels as exchange student in 1958.

50 years ago: Oct. 20, 1952

No great fanfare or ceremony is planned for appearance in Cape Girardeau tomorrow of Sen. Richard M. Nixon, Republican vice presidential nominee; rigid time schedule precludes any long, drawn-out affair; after arriving by train at 12:50 p.m., Nixon will speak at Houck Field House; he is scheduled to depart at 2 p.m. by plane for Springfield.

Long step toward formation of organization designed to stimulate interest in amateur sports in Cape Girardeau and Southeast Missouri is taken at meeting at Houck Field House attended by 300 or more enthusiasts; after Central High Coach Payne Muir and State College Coach Kenny Knox discuss last weekend's football games, committee is chosen to select officers and define purpose and activities of organization.

75 years ago: Oct. 20, 1927

Motorcycle patrolman, who will travel over highways throughout Southeast Missouri to halt violators of motor vehicle laws, has been assigned to this division; E.C. Davis will take up his work at once under direction of highway department; he will pay particular attention to overloaded motor trucks which damage roads and to reckless and fast driving.

First meeting of teachers of Negro schools in Southeast Missouri gets under way in evening at John S. Cobb School; program is opened with addresses by the Rev. I.T. Mack, pastor of Second Baptist Church, and Mrs. Bertha Thomas, instructor at Cobb School; it is hoped meeting will become annual event.

- Sharon K. Sanders