Out of the past 4/2/04

10 years ago: April 2, 1994

Funding for five regional offices of Missouri Department of Economic Development will be included in state's budget for next fiscal year beginning July 1.

Olympic torch, on its way to United States Olympic Festival in St. Louis, is scheduled to pass through Cape Girardeau on June 1.

25 years ago: April 2, 1979

FARMINGTON, Mo. -- Fire rages through boarding house, collapsing roof and killing at least 26 elderly residents, many of them trapped by flaming debris.

Officials of several Cape Girardeau trucking companies say they are experiencing "ripple effect" from Teamsters Union selective strike against 75 of nation's over-the-road freight haulers.

50 years ago: April 2, 1954

MALDEN, Mo. -- An $18,000 federal appropriation, providing emergency assistance to schools here because of influx caused by government-operated Malden Air Base, will help situation, but won't overcome $22,000 loss in state aid for current year.

Two boys are sentenced to indeterminate term in State Training School for Boys by Common Pleas Court Judge J. Henry Caruthers; they are charged with breaking into Junior High School two weeks ago and committing what Caruthers calls "malicious vandalism" in school cafeteria and superintendent's office.

75 years ago: April 2, 1929

J.A. Wright, owner of flying school at St. Elmo, Ill., and his associate, Herman Murray, with staff of engineers and photographers, are in Cape Girardeau looking over available sites for establishment of airport and flying school.

Relief work to aid those who were injured or had their homes destroyed in wild wind storm which swept over western section of Southeast Missouri Sunday night is in progress; nearly 50 people were injured in storm.

-- Sharon K. Sanders