Out of the past 3/19/03

10 years ago: March 19, 1993

Proposed $25 million school bond issue drew much of attention last night at forum for Cape Girardeau Board of Education candidates; about 60 people turned out for forum at Central Junior High cafeteria; bond issue would enable school district to build new elementary school and middle school, construct addition to Jefferson School, retrofit existing buildings to withstand earthquakes, and provide existing schools with air-conditioning and electrical system updates.

Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation employees are installing new bleachers at Capaha Park; Cape Girardeau Kiwanis Club originally built bleachers and have donated funds for lumber; bleachers are expected to be completed in about one week.

25 years ago: March 19, 1978

The Most Rev. Bernard F. Law, bishop of Springfield-Cape Girardeau Diocese, celebrates Palm Sunday Mass at Old St. Vincent's Church, followed by Mass at St. Mary's Cathedral; the Rev. Joseph Gosche concelebrates with bishop at Old St. Vincent's.

Westminster Presbyterian Church Choir presents major portion of John Stainer's "The Crucifixion" in morning Palm Sunday service; choir is under direction of Marlin McCutchen; communicants class of youth is received into membership in special ceremony during service.

50 years ago: March 19, 1953

Chaffee, Mo. -- City of Chaffee is warned by state Division of Health that it must correct its sewage disposal system and that if it doesn't state will "take legal steps" against city for polluting drainage ditch into which disposal is dumped; letter from agency says city is "grossly polluting Little River Drainage Ditch No. 1."

At final meeting of campaign committee Wednesday night, it was announced that total of $307,219 had been pledged for construction of new Catholic high school in Cape Girardeau; of that amount, $290,114 was pledged by members of St. Mary's and St. Vincent's parishes.

75 years ago: March 19, 1928

Southeast Missouri Transit Co., established in Cape Girardeau two years ago, has been sold to Greyhound Bus Co., national motor bus concern; deal is reported to involve about $100,000; L.V. Hill, manager of local company, will likely be transferred to St. Louis to become assistant in superintending St. Louis division of line; J.B. Hill will have charge of Cape Girardeau office for the present.

Montgomery Ward & Co. will locate one of its retail stores in Cape Girardeau, providing survey now in progress proves satisfactory and suitable site is obtained; store will need approximately 15,000 feet of floor space, this being equal to building 60 feet in width and 165 feet in depth, with two floors and full basement, with additional 5,000 feet in reserve.

-- Sharon K. Sanders