Out of the past 10/7/01

10 years ago: Oct. 7, 1991

Year-old city dispute resurfaces when City Council approves membership in Southeast Missouri Coalition for Better Highways, but snubs Mayor Gene Rhodes' appeal to represent council in the group; council votes to name Councilman Al Spradling III as city's representative in coalition, which is lobbying state for several highway projects in area.

Member of City Council complains that she has been followed, spied upon and harassed by person she suspects is another council member; Mary Wulfers reads prepared statement at City Council meeting, telling of someone warning her that she is being watched and to be careful with whom she socializes; Wulfers refuses to name person she suspects.

25 years ago: Oct. 7, 1976

Benton - Estimated $6.75 million loss in Scott County farm production prompted agriculture officials here to ask for federal disaster area declaration; Kenneth Vowles, Scott County Agriculture Stabilization and Conservation director, says county's agriculture emergency board requested two weeks ago to be included in counties declared disaster areas and thereby eligible for low-interest loans to farmers.

Gary Campbell of Fort Wayne, Ind., pilot of Hawker-Hurricane single-engine aircraft, walked away from forced landing about noon yesterday in soybean field midway between Marquette Manufacturing Co. and Municipal Airport; unscheduled landing was due to fuel starvation - engine wasn't getting sufficient fuel to remain airborne; craft is specially-made, five-eighths scale of World War II fighter plane.

50 years ago: Oct. 7, 1951

With razing of Red Star Baptist Church in progress, Sunday School classes have been assigned meeting places at various homes and stores in area; morning and evening worship services are held in auditorium of education building of congregation.

Following morning worship service at Christ Evangelical and Reformed Church, members and their friends to Arena Park for church outing that is highlighted by dinner and supper on park grounds; the Rev. Arno H. Franke, pastor, speaks at twilight vesper service.

75 years ago: Oct. 7, 1926

St. Louis - Displaying belated punch in 10th inning, New York Yankees trim Cardinals of National League, 3-2; clear skies and balmy temperatures bring out thousands to Sportsman's Park for fifth championship game between Yankees and Cardinals and last in St. Louis.

Mississippi River continues its unusual autumn rise, with gauge early today registering 31.6 feet, rise of nearly one foot in past 24 hours; farmers on islands in Mississippi in this vicinity and on lowlands along flooded stream drop their efforts to prevent encroachment of water on their lands, and instead are attempting to rescue what crops they can; much of 4,000 acres of corn on Big Island, near Commerce, is covered with several inches of water, but residents there haven't yet abandoned their homes, which are located on ridges.

- Sharon K. Sanders