Out of the past 5/14/03

10 years ago: May 14, 1993

Despite rainy weather, construction work on Cape LaCroix-Walker Branch flood-control project continues to progress; as of April 29, contractor -- Dumey Excavation and Brenda Kay Construction Inc. of Oran -- had completed about 70 percent of work on first phase of project, which involves channel improvements along Cape LaCroix Creek from south of Bloomfield road north to Arena Park.

Cape Girardeau City Council next month will have its first opportunity to consider minimum property maintenance code; city's board of appeals yesterday recommended 1990 Building Officials and Code Administration version of code be presented to council.

25 years ago: May 14, 1978

The Rev. Harold "Cy" Smith Jr. has accepted call to be pastor of Red Star Baptist Church; Smith, native of Missouri, comes to church from First Baptist Church in Warsaw, where he has served past four years; new pastor will begin his ministry at Red Star on June 4.

Seventh-day Adventist Church was dedicated yesterday afternoon; returning to Cape Girardeau for occasion were two former pastors: Elder Tom Scull, now of Neosho and Cassville, and Elder A.L. Dickerson, retired.

50 years ago: May 14, 1953

Unusually high percentage of positive -- although inconclusive -- reactions to test for brucellosis in Cape Girardeau County's dairy herds has brought recommendation from state health officials that city's milk ordinance be amended to require production from brucellosis-free herds.

S.E. Brady, first operator of Broadway Theater, which he subsequently owned, dies of arthritis and complications at local hospital; born in Arlington, Ky., Brady came to Cape Girardeau in 1921, leasing Broadway Theater, which group of local businessmen built.

75 years ago: May 14, 1928

Twenty-one horses were burned to death in fire of undetermined origin which destroyed barn of Riverside Ice and Fuel Co. on North Main street last night; damage is estimated at $5,000 by Henry Vogelsang, owner of company, who says about one-third of loss is covered by insurance.

Movement to separate Cape Girardeau County Livestock Shipping Association from county farm bureau organization was defeated at annual meeting of stockholders of livestock group Saturday in Jackson.

-- Sharon K. Sanders