Out of the past 4/16/03

10 years ago: April 16, 1993

Rita Fisher's three sons know they had better not mess up in school or they'll have to deal with their mom, the principal; Fisher will resign as principal of Immaculate Conception School in Jackson to take similar position at St. Vincent de Paul School in Cape Girardeau, same school her sons attend.

Sales-tax money for first four months of 1993 are coming in at pace well ahead of last year; local officials say they hope it is indication of things to come and sign that area's economy is recovering.

25 years ago: April 16, 1978

Chapter of Fellowship of Christian Athletes has been formed at Central High School, with 15 pupils involved in organization; officers of nonsectarian group are: captain, Andy Limbaugh; co-captain, Kip Hargens.

Oakland City College Choir presents concert during morning worship hour at First General Baptist Church; choir is directed by Glory Heyde, who received her undergraduate degree at Southeast Missouri State University and her masters from University of Missouri-Columbia.

50 years ago: April 16, 1953

Wind which at one time reached velocity of 55 miles an hour yesterday blew down large neon sign and its steel standard, small trees and branches off larger trees, and shingles off roof of at least one house in Cape Girardeau; wind came in gusts, whipping in from west-southwest at velocities which increased from midmorning until early afternoon.

Chester, Ill. -- If high water strikes on Mississippi River this spring, levee systems between Prairie Du Rocher and Cairo, Ill., should be able to stand against any flood of type experienced in last two years, say representatives of Army Corps of Engineers.

75 years ago: April 16, 1928

Pupils of Cape Girardeau Teachers College Training School captured first-place honors in county spelling contest Saturday at Jackson, first time any one school in county won all first places; Viola G. Dohogne, 14, won high school honors; Edward Markham won first place in grade division; Grace Wells took top honors in senior class division and second place in county high school division; Virginia Ramsey won first place in junior group, and Evelyn Hopper won first place in freshman group.

Workers are razing barn on South Frederick street near Themis; structure was used for many years as livery stable and is estimated by old residents to be at least 50 years old; for past three years it was used by Polack Hide and Fur Co. as storehouse for old rubber and scrap materials.

-- Sharon K. Sanders