Out of the past 4/19/92

10 years ago: April 19, 1992

Easter Sunday.

Alto Pass, Ill. - Fifty-sixth annual sunrise service at Bald Knob Cross is held at 6:30 a.m.; the Rev. Greg Williams delivers sermon, and special music is presented by Shawnee Trio; free coffee and doughnuts are served in Welcome Center after service.

Desma Reno, Missouri Veterans Home administrator, dedicates new, portable chapel in home's multipurpose room with assistance of John Ferguson, chaplain of American Legion Post 63; more than 20 veterans and their families attend afternoon ceremony.

25 years ago: April 19, 1977

Committee of Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce has developed special way to honor visitors to city and local residents and will make first presentation at annual chamber dinner tomorrow night; certificate naming him Honorary Captain in Girardot's Navy will go to Gen. William C. Westmoreland, who will be principal speaker at annual dinner.

Whether Cape Girardeau will retain its present council-manager form of government or return to commission form will be decided in election May 3; Cape Girardeau has tried virtually every governmental form available: From aldermanic, which was abandoned in 1918 in favor of commission form, to present form adopted in 1965.

50 years ago: April 19, 1952

Fire and smoke swept through apartment house at 24 S. Pacific last night routing 16 people from their quarters in frame building; four-room apartment on second floor at north end of building was virtually destroyed by fire, and 10 other rooms in building were damaged by smoke and water.

Backers of Sen. Robert A. Taft of Ohio for Republican presidential nomination have been notified that senator will speak in Cape Girardeau April 26; he will appear under sponsorship of Taft for President Club of 10th District of Missouri.

75 years ago: April 19, 1927

In unexpected rise that sends water up over 12 inches overnight, Mississippi River at Cape Girardeau reaches new high mark of 39.9 feet, little over two feet under highest mark recorded in 1844; unprepared for this new rise, and with its levees already nearly breaking under pressure, Marquette Cement Mfg. Co. suspends operation of most of its plant; most of force of 300 men are being used, however.

Threatened by water pouring over levee at Farrenberg, eight miles to north, residents of New Madrid are fleeing to safety, many families going to nearby towns, with others seeking refuge on high hills in that vicinity; flood water from Mississippi coming through crevasse at Dorena, and forcing its way over St. John's Bayou levee at Farrenberg, is expected to reach New Madrid this afternoon.

- Sharon K. Sanders