Out of the past 2/27/02

10 years ago: Feb. 27, 1992

Chaffee - Nancy McGrew, reading teacher at Chaffee Elementary School, has again been honored for her efforts to help students - and others - learn to read.

According to calendar, spring is little more than three weeks away; but you'd never know it from daffodils and forsythia bushes already in bloom in Cape Girardeau; unusually mild temperatures this month have caused many early flowering plants, shrubs and some trees to begin budding or blooming two to four weeks ahead of normal.

25 years ago: Feb. 27, 1977

The Rev. Y. John, pastor of Evangelical Church of India, is guest speaker at morning worship service at Lutheran Chapel of Hope on Southeast Missouri State University campus; he is in United States pursuing his graduate degree in pastoral counseling at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis.

History is where the action is, Missouri Secretary of State James C. Kirkpatrick tells group of Scouts and their parents, as he urges them to prepare to take active part in future of democracy; Kirkpatrick is features speaker and class sponsor at 17th annual Southeast Missouri Council of Honor at University Center, where 35 boys from Southeast Missouri receive Scouting's highest honor.

50 years ago: Feb. 27, 1952

Deed M. Wills, 79, retired farmer of Daisy, dies of burns sustained yesterday when he fell into grass fire that had gotten out of control near his home; elderly man's clothing was aflame when neighbors, the Bennett Penny family, saw him and ran to his aid.

Anticipated rush of candidates seeking city offices slows to walk, with petition of only one, that of Manning P. Greer, candidate for mayor, being filed at office of city clerk; Greer issues statement of his views in which he stresses need for more industries for city, new swimming pools, training school for traffic violators to improve traffic conditions, and step-up plan of pay for city employees.

75 years ago: Feb. 27, 1927

The Rev. O.L. Smith closes out his pastorate at First Christian Church, delivering farewell sermons to congregation at morning and evening services; Smith came to Cape Girardeau nearly two years ago from Mountain View, Mo.; he has been offered number of other pastorates in Missouri, but he hasn't accepted any of calls as yet.

H.H. "Dad" Washburn, retired Frisco conductor and for many years picturesque figure on Southeast Missouri trains of that system, died last night at his home, 283 S. Lorimier, after six-week illness.

- Sharon K. Sanders