Out of the past 5/18/04

10 years ago: May 18, 1994

Renovation of heavily silted, algae-covered Jackson Rotary Lake begins, when Jackson Park Department employees open valve to draw down pool; lake, which was built in mid-1970s, is in main city park west of swimming pool.

Employees of Dumey Excavation are installing floodgate at Union Electric viaduct substation on old Highway 61; gate will be used for employee traffic into substation and can be closed if high water threatens substation.

25 years ago: May 18, 1979

Missouri Commissioner of Education Arthur L. Mallory is expected to cast deciding vote next month to elect president of Southeast Missouri State University Board of Regents; Mallory, ex-officio member of board, will decide between James H. Estes and Elvis Mooney for board president; he isn't expected to cast vote on question of contract of Dr. Robert E. Leestamper, university president.

After soggy April, in which almost no field work was done, Cape Girardeau area farmers are taking advantage of more favorable weather, trying to catch up with soil preparation and planting.

50 years ago: May 18, 1954

Reorganization of municipal government began yesterday, when new city council appointed Gerald B. Rowan city attorney and returned Carl Lewis to position of fire chief, from which he was removed in late summer of 1952.

Cape Girardeau's sanitary food and drink ordinance, passed a year ago, becomes officially effective today, but in actuality must await arrival of team of inspectors from Missouri Division of Health before it goes into force; representatives of state health agency will be here before end of month to conduct inspections of restaurants, drug stores, schools, State College, taverns and other places where food and drink are sold.

75 years ago: May 18, 1929

Solution of flood problem on riverfront at Cape Girardeau through plan suggested by Harland Bartholomew in City Plan is recommended by Charles L. Harrison, chairman of City Plan Commission; that plan calls for elevated boulevard, which would be connecting link in proposed boulevard system around city, and which would serve as barrier against water.

Mississippi River rose only slightly overnight, giving promise that current rampage won't exceed predicted 37-foot stage forecast for Sunday; near Holcomb, however, volunteers are preparing to battle rising waters of St. Francis River; hundreds of men are waiting at strategic points as men patrol levee watching for any evidence of break.

-- Sharon K. Sanders