Out of the past 10/3/01

10 years ago: Oct. 3, 1991

Parents Central High School Students are being asked if they believe issues like teen pregnancy, drug or alcohol use or peer pressure make students at risk of dropping out of school; survey is being done by Central High School as part of district-wide assessment of Cape Girardeau's "at-risk" problem.

Sumio Kurihami, president of Biokyowa, accepts Chamber of Commerce Commitment to Excellence Award from Chamber President Bob Hendrix during Industrial Appreciation Dinner at Show Me Center.

25 years ago: Oct. 3, 1976

New St. Francis Medical Center - $17 million health care package - is officially presented to community in dedication ceremonies in afternoon on medical center grounds at Route K and Mount Auburn Road; dedication culminates dream that began 18 years ago, when idea of new hospital first was conceived; keynote speaker at ceremony is Gov. Christopher S. Bond.

Congregation of second oldest church building in Cape Girardeau still in use is celebrating its centennial throughout October; Christ Episcopal Church was built in 1876; today is "History Sunday," with sermon during service of Eucharist featuring some facet's of church's history; afterward, coffee-reception is held in parish hall, where copies of parish history, "Historical Sketch of Christ Church," are sold.

50 years ago: Oct. 3, 1951

Charleston - Another episode in long-standing controversy over re-location of Highway 60, which now runs through heart of Charleston, may be in making; State Highway Commission has been asked by citizens' group and City Council to give town opportunity to present its views before location is decided; State Highway Department has proposed to relocate road from Bertrand to point east of Charleston; location roughly three quarters of mile south of present road has been suggested.

Final tabulation of 1950 decennial census gives Cape Girardeau added 39 people over previously announced preliminary figures and moves its official population to 21,578.

75 years ago: Oct. 3, 1926

After careful check of tickets sold, P.M. Jones, Cape County Fair official, has announced that Blanch Walsh was winner of fair queen contest; her final report showed 74,250 votes, almost double that of her nearest competitor, Lena Heider; Walsh will receive $135 diamond ring as her prize.

William Huskey, oldest known resident of Cape Girardeau County, died at his home in Smelterville yesterday; Huskey celebrated his 103rd birthday last March 11 at his home, where he had lived since coming to Cape Girardeau eight years ago from Bollinger County; centenarian was born at Siverville, Tenn., March 11, 1823, and lived there until five years after close of Civil War, in which he served as member of Union Army.

- Sharon K. Sanders