Out of the past 2/5/03

10 years ago: Feb. 5, 1993

Cape Girardeau Board of Education is scheduled to formally vote Monday to place $25 million bond issue on April 6 ballot; proposed bond issue, if approved by voters, would buy two new school buildings, addition to Jefferson Elementary School, earthquake resistance, air-conditioning and electrical updates for existing buildings; tax increase of 72 cents would retire bonds.

Cape Girardeau city department heads met yesterday and today for city planning session, part of ongoing effort to improve communications among city officials; city manager J. Ronald Fischer says two-day session was informative and helpful.

25 years ago: Feb. 5, 1978

Dr. C. John Ritter, current member of Cape Girardeau School Board, has filed for re-election; he is fourth person to file for board; two three-year terms are open on board, those of Jerry Ford, who has announced he won't run for re-election, and Ritter's.

Two men and two women have been charged with felonious stealing in connection with theft of $3,800 from safe at Rhodes City Truck Plaza, Interstate 55 and Nash Road; two couples and seven children are taken into custody near Paducah, Ky., in evening, when Kentucky state policeman spots cars fitting descriptions of three vehicles which sped away from Rhodes shortly after theft occurred.

50 years ago: Feb. 5, 1953

Cape Girardeau firemen rescue 3-year-old boy from flame-filled house in Smelterville at noon, but child dies of burns shortly afterward in local hospital; boy was William Bedell, son of Mrs. Louis Bedell; three other people inside structure at time of blaze escape without injury.

Still mindful of severity of summer and fall drought that curled crops and withered pastures, county farmers are expressing concern that it has carried over into winter and has area in dry cycle similar to that which has gripped Texas.

75 years ago: Feb. 5, 1928

The Rev. A.A. Wilson, superintendent of Southern Missouri District of Council of Assembly of God, speaks at Assembly of God Church, 1012 S. Ellis, at both worship services; Wilson, whose home is at Dexter, has been superintendent of district two years; district is composed of 80 churches, embracing all Missouri territory south of Missouri River.

Emil Danz, 78, pioneer farmer of near Shawneetown, dies at home of his daughter, Mrs. Rudolph Reisenbichler at Pocahontas; he had been visiting there during past two weeks, but had been ill less than week; Danz was born Nov. 13, 1849, in Germany, coming to America with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Christian Danz, when he was about 4 months old.

-- Sharon K. Sanders