Out of the past 11/18/04

25 years ago: Nov. 18, 1979

A twofold celebration is observed at Hanover Lutheran Church: The congregation celebrates the 10th anniversary of the dedication of the church sanctuary as well as the observance of its annual fall mission festiva. Guest preacher is the Rev. Dr. Herman Scherer, former president of the Missouri District of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.

The Jackson community Thanksgiving service is held in the afternoon at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, sponsored by the Jackson Ministerial Alliance.

50 years ago: Nov. 18, 1954

COMMERCE, Mo. -- Louis L. Smith, 81, a public school teacher for 18 years at Commerce and a farmer, dies at the family home near here; born in Millersville, he was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Anderson Smith; he married Clara C. Spradlin in 1898, and she survives, along with a son, two daughters and a brother.

John L. Wieser is appointed director of Civil Defense in Cape Girardeau, replacing chief of police Kenneth Cruse, who has been advanced to a position on the Civil Defense Advisory Council.

75 years ago: Nov. 18, 1929

Federal Court Judge Charles B. Farris again upholds the validity of the flood-control act as applicable particularly to the project in Mississippi and New Madrid counties; his ruling comes on a demurrer, which contended that the government couldn't legally take lands in Missouri without the consent of the state.

John Noyes, noted landscape architect of St. Louis, who has been employed by the city council to design plans for the beautification of Fairground Park, is in Cape Girardeau going over the park with city engineer E.L. Sailer.

100 years ago: Nov. 18, 1904

The 20th man to meet death on the new Thebes, Ill., railroad bridge was taken from the river last evening; the man was standing out on a derrick many feet above the top of the bridge; a sudden crash came, and the ironworker was hurled to the river 150 feet below.

A heavy smoke coming from forest fires several miles below Cape Girardeau wraps the entire city; people are suffering with burning eyes, and navigation on the river has nearly stopped.

-- Sharon K. Sanders