Out of the past 4/14/07

25 years ago: April 14, 1982

A 7-year-old boy, who authorities say was padlocked in the basement of an otherwise unoccupied Cape Girardeau home, came within minutes of death last night as the house burned around and his lungs filled with smoke; police are seeking to question Dejan Kocenski's parents, whom neighbors haven't seen for several days.

Tenth District U.S. Rep. Bill Emerson has filed for re-election in the new 8th Congressional District, which was created as a result of the 1980 census; Emerson, a Republican of Cape Girardeau, is being challenged by Democrat Jerry Ford of Cape Girardeau.

50 years ago: April 14, 1957

Having officially assumed his duties as pastor of Red Star Baptist Church last week, the Rev. Thomas D. Hill delivers his first sermon as pastor in the evening; Hill came to Cape Girardeau from Napoleon Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans.

Rhoda Reeser Harris, prominent in Cape Girardeau church, garden and club circles, dies in the afternoon; she was married to Dr. Lynn H. Harris, who was a member of the English faculty of State College, a position from which he retired last year.

75 years ago: April 14, 1932

The Hahs-Groves Co., manufacturers of a mechanical horse, reports it is shipping this week six horses to the Rye, N.Y., Playland Park, where the mechanical animals will be installed.

Anton Sebek, owner of the Southeast Missouri Packing Co., announces he has purchased the Cape County Milk Co. plant, 426 S. Middle St., from A.L. Hill and A.W. Landgraf; Sebek sold the plant to Hill and Landgraf two months ago.

100 years ago: April 14, 1907

Bishop Joseph S. Key preaches sermons at both the morning and evening worship services at the Methodist church in Cape Girardeau; Key has been holding district conference at Sikeston, Mo., during the past week and has now come here to look over the progress being made on the new Methodist church.

The Rev. Franklin, a black Baptist preacher, is organizing a church out on the Sprigg Street Road, about two miles north of Cape Girardeau; he recently baptized 19 converts and is raising funds for a church building.

-- Sharon K. Sanders