Out of the past 4/19/03

10 years ago: April 19, 1993

Cape Girardeau police last night responded to 911 call in 900 block of Bloomfield and found unidentified man lying dead in doorway of apartment house; shooting victim hasn't positively been identified and is believed to have been resident of city for short period of time.

At urging of local NAACP, Cape Girardeau City Council next month will consider whether city needs public housing, issue that's proven contentious in past; Michael Sterling and Debra Willis use recent renter-landlord dispute in city as example of why stricture housing regulations are needed; two spearheaded rally Saturday outside house of couple who were forced to seek alternative shelter when their utilities were cut off and landlord reportedly removed front door of house.

25 years ago: April 19, 1978

Possible shift in city's philosophy on how it spends its money was among developments coming out of Tuesday's study session of city council; signal that council may consider loosening purse strings of city came with suggestion from Councilman Howard C. Tooke that each councilman submit list of projects he would like to see city become involved in.

Ozark, Ala. -- Arrest is made in death of women's Army Corps enlisted woman found stabbed to death last week in her apartment, and authorities believe man is also responsible for death of Lt. Mary Ann James of Cape Girardeau last June; warrant officer, instructor at sprawling Army base here, has been charged in both deaths.

50 years ago: April 19, 1953

Celebration of 100th anniversary of dedication of present St. Vincent's Catholic Church begins; Solemn High Mass is sung in morning, with the Rev. James W. Stakelum, C.M., V., as celebrant; three-day event will climax Tuesday with Pontifical High Mass, celebrated by Archbishop Joseph E. Ritter, D.D.; church was dedicated in 185.

Fourteen-year-old eighth-grade pupil from Eugene Field High School at Charleston, Eleanor Switzer, spelled her way to championship in The Missourian District Spelling Bee that brought 57 contestants to Cape Girardeau Saturday.

75 years ago: April 19, 1928

New ordinance, which will prohibit dogs running at large in Cape Girardeau, will likely be adopted by city council at special meeting tomorrow; council orders drafting of new ordinance supplanting present one, after number of complaints were made on depredations of dogs; under new law, dogs won't be licensed after present licenses expire next March; however, ordinance provides that all dogs, no matter if they are licensed, must be restrained.

Contract for construction of fireproof, 100-car storage garage, to be built on Main Street opposite Frisco passenger station, is awarded to Gerhardt Construction Co.; Louis Hecht and Charles Miller, the latter a Poplar Bluff merchant, are having structure built.

-- Sharon K. Sanders