Out of the past 3/12/03

10 years ago: March 12, 1993

When record flooding in southern Arizona destroyed or damaged millions of dollars worth of lettuce, cauliflower and broccoli this winter, produce prices in Cape Girardeau area rose sharply and stayed high for about week; but they fell about as fast as they went up.

When it comes to quality public education, money makes difference, say teachers and keynote speaker at district teachers meeting; about 2,000 educators from Southeast Missouri attend 117th annual meeting of Missouri State Teachers Association; keynote speaker is journalist Forrest J. "Frosty" Troy of Oklahoma.

25 years ago: March 12, 1978

Service of dedication is held in dining room of new Cape Baptist Association Office and Media Center in afternoon, followed by open house; two-story building, located on Highway 61 near junction of Lampe and Stout roads, contains 3,000 square feet of space.

Vowing to vote his conscience and support proposed Panama Canal Treaty, U.S. Sen. Thomas Eagleton, D-Mo., stands firm as treaty opponents fire point-blank; senator also takes brunt of American Agriculture Movement broadside without backing from his position of opposing farm strike's avowed goal -- 100 percent parity prices.

50 years ago: March 12, 1953

Chaffee -- Reinforced concrete coal elevator, 80 feet fall, topples over with dull roar in morning after its base is dynamited by Frisco Railroad demolition team; blast adds note of finality to ending of era of coal-burning steam engines on Frisco.

Jefferson City -- Missouri House gives quick approval to bill that would open all state-supported universities and colleges to Negroes; tentative approval comes on voice vote with only one "no" heard; Rep. T.A. Penman, Democrat of New Madrid County, votes against bill.

75 years ago: March 12, 1928

Dr. T. Ben Turnbaugh, owner of Cape Optical Co., 108 N. Main, leaves in afternoon for Flat River, where he will take charge of Paul DeGuire Jewelry and Optical Store, which he has purchased; Flat River store has been operated for number of years by Paul DeGuire, who died recently.

George Snider of Jackson has what is considered title-holder in egg-producing among Cape Girardeau County hens; this single-comb Rhode Island Red pullet, first-prize winner at county fair, laid first egg of fair on Sept. 26, 1927, and hasn't missed day since; in other words, this hen has laid 169 eggs in 169 days and is still going strong.

-- Sharon K. Sanders