Out of the past 3/13/03

10 years ago: March 13, 1993

Strong winds, rushing up to 39 miles per hour, cause portion of back porch roof of historic Glenn House to collapse; there have been problems with porch for some time, according to Glenn House director, Beverly Daniel; porch had sustained water damage, causing some of the wood to rot and timbers to weaken.

National and state Republican officials voice their optimism in GOP's future at Cape Girardeau's 23rd Annual Lincoln Day celebration; despite loss last year of White House and State House to Democrats, Republicans say they are poised to once again become national party united internally and with American people.

25 years ago: March 13, 1978

Although prolonged heavy snow cover has melted from Southeast Missouri farm land, it will be at least two more weeks before farmers are able to begin spring ground work; return to cold temperatures or continued wet weather could delay start-up even longer; fields are extremely muddy, and only about three inches of topsoil has thawed.

Conservation efforts and oil or gas generated electricity are forestalling more drastic curtailments of power in this area, with all eyes still focused on negotiating efforts to end lengthy coal strike; Southeast Missouri State University is generating all its power; natural gas from Missouri Utilities Co. is being used for both heating and electrical generation, thus conserving 30-day coal supply on hand.

50 years ago: March 13, 1953

House sub-committee on appropriations, first in many years to come to campuses for on-the-spot check, probed into dozens of items in budget requests of State College and asked questions on other matters at hearing yesterday at college; committee will report back to House appropriations committee with its findings.

Residents of Jackson on Thursday voted 554 to 101 in special election for issuing $270,000 in school bonds; voting was light; money from sale of bonds will be used to build gymnasium-auditorium on site near stadium and to enlarge high school by adding five classrooms and study hall-library by alterations in partitions.

75 years ago: March 13, 1928

W.G. Bartels, owner and proprietor of Bartels Mercantile Co., 535 Broadway, announces he has purchased Drusch Building at Broadway and Ellis from Emil Drusch, who erected structure 15 years ago; first floor of building is occupied by Neal Hardware Co., and apartments are on second floor; Bartels says he bought building as investment; Drusch recently moved to St. Louis.

Passengers aboard southbound motor bus of Gregory Bus Line were held up and robbed of considerable money and jewelry near Millersville Sunday afternoon; four men, three of whom brandished revolvers, pulled up to side of bus, which had stopped for repairs; while one bandit covered driver and mechanic, others entered bus and robbed passengers.

-- Sharon K. Sanders