Out of the past 3/28/03

10 years ago: March 28, 1993

Four residents of state of Florida are arrested and charged with abduction of two Dutchtown women; Rebecca Hedrick, 17, and Martha M. Griffith, 22, were abducted from their homes last night by suspects identified as two Hispanic males and two women.

Many Cape Girardeau residents hear wail of emergency vehicle sirens and smell strong odor of smoke early in evening from small fire which is started in old St. Francis Hospital building, 825 Good Hope; someone ignites insulation in chimney area of building, causing thick, black smoke to pour out chimney; fire is quickly extinguished without causing significant damage to building; no one is apprehended in incident.

25 years ago: March 28, 1978

Flooding by Mississippi River reaches its most threatening point since 1973, when swollen waters reaches 38.2 feet on river gauge at Cape Girardeau; all safety margins have been used up; increase of another foot in water level could cause havoc at points south of city; river is at highest point since reaching 44.55 feet on May 1, 1973.

Arla May Nelson Harris, one of Cape Girardeau's foremost promoters of civic beauty, died yesterday at Chaffee General Hospital at age 82; Harris, wife of Thomas Groves Harris, was active in community affairs since moving to Cape Girardeau from Jackson in 1923.

50 years ago: March 28, 1953

Arrival of spring brings upsurge in employment, and prospects are good that demand for workers will continue high throughout warm weather months in Cape Girardeau area; George Vandeven, manager of local officer of Missouri State Employment Service, says number of people in jobs is expected to reach same high level as in recent years; outlook is encouraging, both in agriculture and in all lines of local industry.

It appears that any move toward further school reorganization elections in Cape Girardeau County will await end of current legislative session in Jefferson City; County Board of Education, meeting last night, heard letter from Arthur Summers, director of district reorganization for state Department of Education; he suggested that any plans be held in abeyance, since some act of legislature might interfere with any reorganization plan; county board had planned to call another election.

75 years ago: March 28, 1928

Washington -- After hour of consideration, Senate passes $325,000,000 measure for control of Mississippi River floods; bill places entire burden for control of river on Federal government; House now must tackle flood problem, and more of fight is expected on subject in that branch of Congress.

Initiative petitions, to be circulated to secure necessary signatures to place proposal for $75,000,000 bond issue to complete state road system, on ballot at November election are received by Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce; 1,000 signatures are to be obtained in Cape Girardeau; similar petitions will be sent to each county in state, as signatures must be obtained in each congressional district.

-- Sharon K. Sanders