Out of the past 5/13/03

10 years ago: May 13, 1993

Drury Development Corp. is moving forward with plans to build five-story, 118-room Drury Inn at southwest intersection of Interstate 55 and Route K; Cape Girardeau Planning and Zoning Commission yesterday recommended unanimously that city council approve special-use permit for motel.

Southeast Missouri State University student Melissa Compton dies in St. Louis hospital, only hours after receiving diploma she so desperately wanted; 22-year-old Eureka woman, who majored in elementary education, dies as result of brain tumor diagnosed only few weeks ago.

25 years ago: May 13, 1978

Former Navy pilot and his wife were killed when their single-engine plane crashed near East Prairie on flight which was to have brought them to Cape Girardeau to be with her ailing father; authorities identified victims of Friday's crash two miles northwest of East Prairie as Donald W. Chancellor, 34, and Karen D. Chancellor, 33, of Macon, Ga.; Chancellors left Macon earlier in day to be with Kermit D. Bird, Oran Route 1, who underwent surgery at St. Francis Medical Center Friday.

Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois escaped brunt of severe storm system which swept across states last night, spawning tornadoes at several spots in eastern part of Missouri; although there were reports of wind damage in area, none were of serious nature; Jackson was hardest hit.

50 years ago: May 13, 1953

Construction of gymnasium for new Central High School is expected to begin by June 1 with completion date that will allow its use early next year; school board yesterday let contracts aggregating $255,737.41 for gymnasium; general contract award went to Gerhardt Construction Co.

Old Appleton -- Old Appleton Brewery and Ice Co. was purchased Monday for $750 by Schnurbusch Bros., egg and dressed poultry firm, which is owned by Ruben C. "Rip" and Raymond F. "Bob" Schnurbusch; they haven't announced plans for building; stockholders of old company, which was in operation at intervals for more than 100 years, met Monday and voted to sell.

75 years ago: May 13, 1928

Mother's Day is observed appropriately by Cape Girardeau churches, most of them having planned some form of observance or arranged to give over entire morning service in honor of occasion.

Consecration and presentation of two memorials to deceased members of Christ Episcopal Church will be feature of Ascension Thursday service at Christ church; one of memorials is silk processional flag and staff and will be presented in memory of Louise Wasem; other memorial will be artistic brass missal stand, to be presented in memory of George W. Patton.

-- Sharon K. Sanders