Out of the past 10/3/02

10 years ago: Oct. 3, 1992

Most immediate impact of $1.2 million Economic Development Administration grant announced yesterday for Southeast Missouri Regional Port Authority at Scott City is that construction can begin right away on final phase of railroad spur.

Four young women are selected from over 40 contestants to represent Cape Girardeau during its bicentennial celebration at Bicentennial Queens Contest; winners are Jessica Jones, Little Miss Bicentennial; Jennifer Icaza, Junior Miss Bicentennial; Angela Scherer, Miss Bicentennial, and Kelly Williams, Mrs. Bicentennial.

25 years ago: Oct. 3, 1977

Plans of State Highway Department to close off Route W at its Highway 61 intersection to facilitate road construction have drawn fire of local residents; those who live along Route W -- Cape La Croix Road -- are concerned over loss of fire and ambulance protection; Highway 61 is being widened to four lanes starting near intersection of Route W.

Benton -- City growth is prompting Scott City Mayor Alvie Modglin to seek help in solving three major problems: Re-opening of old Highway 61, between Scott City and Nash Road; Ramsey Creek drainage, and additional city police protection.

50 years ago: Oct. 3, 1952

Cape Girardeau Fire Chief Dewey Hinton announces Capt. George Dunn has been promoted to assistant chief and fire inspector; Dunn succeeds Hinton, who was elevated to chief earlier this week.

The 147-acre Leming farm and orchard five miles west of Cape Girardeau, short distance off Gordonville Road, acquired by late M.E. Leming and subsequently purchased by Leming Lumber Co., will be sold at auction next week; tract was acquired by Leming in 1925 and has been operated by Leming interests since then as orchard, stock and grain farm; M.E. Leming Jr., head of Leming Lumber Co., says firm is liquidating its farming interests and will confine its operations solely to lumber manufacture.

75 years ago: Oct. 3, 1927

Erection of part of steel work of Cape Girardeau traffic bridge begins; American Bridge Co., contractor for superstructure of bridge, begins actual placing of steel of west approach span; large locomotive crane company uses is set on one of stub switches, and erection of steel support for span between pier one and approach is started.

Members of Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce hold dinner-meeting at Trinity Hall in evening to greet new secretary, Leroy H. Kelsey, who arrives to take up his work with organization; members are also given opportunity to bid farewell to E.C. Hackett, retiring secretary, who is to leave immediately for Springfield, where he has similar position.

-- Sharon K. Sanders