Out of the past 4/6/03

10 years ago: April 6, 1993

Jackson Board of Aldermen yesterday voted to appoint four-member study committee to look into formation of board that would assist in promoting tourist attractions in Jackson; Ward 4 Alderman LeRoy Brown as appointed chairman of committee; he will work with city administrator Carl Talley, city attorney David Beeson and Ward 3 Alderman Glenn Oldham to determine whether tourism board is needed.

Fearing its effect on business in area, Cape Girardeau City Council Monday elected to hold off on parking ban in 400 block of Good Hope Street that was aimed at curbing illegal drug sales; police chief Howard Boyd Jr. requested that no-parking ordinance be established for 170 feet along south side of street.

25 years ago: April 6, 1978

City has been asked by Doctors Park to forego inspection of streets to be constructed there and to accept park's engineer's certification that they are built to specifications; city councilmen Wednesday reacted coolly to request, but took matter under advisement.

Residents living between Public Works Department garage at 221 N. Fountain and Southeast Missouri State University's Tower Circle who heard or saw street sweeper pass by about 1 this morning probably witnessed crime; sweeper wasn't on routine cleaning of city's streets; it had been stolen moments earlier from Public Works garage; thieves abandoned vehicle at Towers Circle, after they drove up to building and apparently were unable to make sweeper back up.

50 years ago: April 6, 1953

Fortunately, no passengers are aboard big Greyhound bus when it goes off U.S. Highway 61 and strikes three trees east of Millersville in morning; rear of vehicle is virtually demolished, but driver, St. Louis man, is uninjured; Dixie Greyhound Lines reports bus was "deadheading" from Flat River to Cape Girardeau, when accident occurs on wet pavement.

Virtually every town and all school districts in Southeast Missouri will conduct elections for municipal officers and school board members tomorrow; in many places, campaign fervor has reached pitch almost equal to that of national election, unusual occurrence in local contests where interest usually lags and votes are scarce.

75 years ago: April 6, 1928

Author O. Keller, who lives on farm six miles southwest of Cape Girardeau, filed yesterday for Republican nomination for county assessor; he is first member of his party to file for that office, although others have indicated they will run; Keller, 32, is prominent in livestock business and is regarded as one of county's successful young farmers.

Contract for construction of new St. Edward's Catholic Church at Dutchtown has been awarded to A.E. Feuerhahn of that place, and work will begin next week; building, to be built of brick, replaces frame structure which was destroyed by fire early in January and will cost about $10,000; congregation of 40 people has raised about 75 percent of funds necessary to construct building.

-- Sharon K. Sanders