Out of the past 2/7/02

10 years ago: Feb. 7, 1992

Navigational project under way in Mississippi River near Cape Rock will reduce need for frequent dredging in that area and will allow for safer passage of barge tows around Cape Rock, says spokesman for Corps of Engineers.

Evening child care at Southeast Missouri State University will likely be discontinued after just one semester, because too few students have enrolled their children; despite survey that indicated more than 200 students wanted evening care available on campus, less than 20 actually enrolled their children.

25 years ago: Feb. 7, 1977

Abandonment of Missouri Pacific Railroad spur which serves industries on west end of Cape Girardeau appears to be more of possibility; MoPac has filed with Interstate Commerce Commission required map designating portions of its system which is presently being abandoned or which company considers marginally productive and may be abandoned in future.

With warming trend forecast, Coast Guard expects some movement of ice blockage on Mississippi River during next several days; that isn't expected to break hard ice gorge that runs from Mile 36 to Mile 13.

50 years ago: Feb. 7, 1952

Removal of abandoned street car rails along 60- to 70-foot section of Broadway to repair buckled pavement may give impetus to similar removal and street repair program in badly damaged, two-block stretch from Lorimier to Middle.

Speculation is rife over possible successor to Wayne Goddard as coach of State College Indians football and track teams; most mentioned name that crops up is Kenny Knox; Knox is Missouri's outstanding high school gridiron mentor, the man who has taken Sikeston Bulldogs through 38 consecutive games without defeat.

75 years ago: Feb. 7, 1927

Caruthersville - Three men are killed outright and fourth is believed fatally hurt in mysterious explosion aboard Mississippi River barge of Dillman Egg Case Co.; barge, used by company in towing logs for plant, is being repaired by men, when explosion occurs; dead are Alva Pepple, 35, George Hart, 45, and Harry Pulley, 25; George McDaniel is badly injured.

Attracted by announcement that work on construction of Cape Girardeau traffic bridge is under way, thousands of people from city and surrounding towns visited bridge site Sunday and inspected excavation work for first pier.

- Sharon K. Sanders