Out of the past 10/26/02

10 years ago: Oct. 26, 1992

Missouri Baptist Convention begins at Show Me Center; week-long event is expected to be attended by 4,000 people; leaders of Missouri's largest Protestant church group - representing nearly 630,000 members - will conduct business meeting around approval of $15.2 million budget.

Former U.S. Sen. George McGovern, spokesman for American liberalism during past 30 years, speaks to audience of about 250 people in evening at Academic Auditorium at Southeast Missouri State University; McGovern predicts that coming election may signal ascendancy of liberal ideology in 1990s and beyond.

25 years ago: Oct. 26, 1977

Cape Girardeans continue to voice support for preservation of historic St. Vincent's Catholic Church in downtown Cape Girardeau; with opening of new St. Vincent's Church, future of old edifice is in doubt; most recent show of support comes in form of letter by Historical Association of Greater Cape Girardeau to Bishop Bernard F. Law; letter spells out group's opposition to destruction of church and urges bishop to "help save St. Vincent's Church."

Cairo, Ill. - With state and local help, Cairo to Olmsted, Ill., branch of Contrail will be reopened and railroad operator found for it, local officials and Cairo Chamber of Commerce members were told at meeting last night; chance also remains to save rail service on Fayville Junction to Joppa Junction route, which Missouri Pacific Railroad Line has proposed abandoning.

50 years ago: Oct. 26, 1952

First Christian Church holds its annual Layman's Sunday, when Dr. Joseph A. Serena, former president of State College, is guest speaker; Clyde D. Harris presides at meeting, and Dr. Jean H. Ruff provides vocal number; Prof. J.C. Brandt is guest organist.

Great pall of smoke, rolling up from powder-dry fields and woodlands of Missouri and Illinois, overhangs Cape Girardeau and all of upland region of area with little sign of abatement until soaking rain falls; fires are reported in dozens of separate places over district; indicative of situation is report from travelers on Highway 61 - it traverses wooded Ozark area - that smoke is thick from Millersville northward to Fredericktown.

75 years ago: Oct. 26, 1927

Authorities throughout Southeast Missouri are aiding in search for two members of bandit gang, who, after engaging Bollinger County officers in gun battle late yesterday, escaped by forcing passing motorist to drive them to safety.

Mrs. B.F. Johnson of Cape Girardeau was elected president of Ninth District of Missouri Federation of Women's Clubs during 18th annual meeting held earlier this week at Fredericktown; Mrs. C.L. Whitener was elected vice president, and secretary-treasurer will be appointed by president for her own locality; this will enable Cape Girardeau to have two district offices.

-- Sharon K. Sanders