Out of the past 2/10/04

10 years ago: Feb. 10, 1994

Southeast Missouri State University will eliminate summer commencement for undergraduates beginning in 1995.

Cape Girardeau County Prosecuting Attorney Morley Swingle has announced he will seek re-election to third term this year.

25 years ago: Feb. 10, 1979

RANDLES, Mo. -- Routine observation of passing Missouri Pacific freight train yesterday near Randles proved fatal for brakeman, as train he was watching derailed and crushed him.

Southeast Missouri State University proposals to offer new master of natural science degree and new major in Latin American studies go before Coordinating Board of Higher Education, where they are expected to be approved.

50 years ago: Feb. 10, 1954

Traffic is blocked on Mississippi River in morning when barge loaded with salt from Texas strikes submerged rock and sinks, two river miles north of Commerce, Mo.

Jerry Evans, 19, was painfully injured yesterday afternoon when tractor with which he was plowing overturned, pinning him beneath it for hour before he could attract attention of his father, J.R. Evans, who was breaking ground in another field.

75 years ago: Feb. 10, 1929

Sleigh bells were heard on Cape Girardeau streets yesterday for first time in many years; Allen Kimmel and O.L. Reynolds both drove sleighs through snow-covered streets of town.

Following in wake of season's heaviest snow, temperature in Cape Girardeau drops to zero early in morning, a new mark for year; intense cold interferes with transportation over ice-coated highways.

-- Sharon K. Sanders