Out of the past 5/20/02

10 years ago: May 20, 1992

Thunderstorms and rain showers in area last weekend brought welcome relief for farmers in path of storms; but widely scattered precipitation left many areas parched, and some crops already are beginning to reflect impact of dry spring weather.

Southeast Missouri State University is losing another top administrator; assistant provost at Southeast will leave to become vice president for academic affairs at Eastern New Mexico University in Portales, N.M.; university officials in New Mexico announced Dorothy Allen's acceptance of position yesterday.

25 years ago: May 20, 1977

Morley - State Department of Conservation is interested in acquiring 400-acre site near here for development as wildlife and recreational area; department officials and State Sen. John Dennis are to tour site today on which Scott County Court has taken six-month option to purchase; land is owned by Lowe's, Inc., Michigan-based firm.

Illmo - Long-awaited overpass over Cotton Belt Railroad tracks, where number of lives have been lost in accidents over years, at last appears to be nearing reality; bids on project are to be opened in Jefferson City May 27, and contracts should be awarded in June.

50 years ago: May 20, 1952

Cape Girardeau residents, who authorized step five years ago but have never had to make payment, will be called upon this fall for first time to pay taxes and help retire remaining portion of $115,000 bond issue which helped acquire and improve Municipal Airport; two members of Airport Board, C.A. Juden and Rush H. Limbaugh Jr., appeared before city council yesterday to officially ask that city include airport bond sinking and interest fund charge in this year's municipal tax table.

Members of Bible Baptist Church are soliciting funds to be used in building basement for church house to follow in the future, lot having been secured in 1500 block of North Main; movement to get Bible Baptist Church in Cape Girardeau was started in December by the Rev. William Chappel, who had similar church in Jackson.

75 years ago: May 20, 1927

Roosevelt Field, N.Y. - Charles A. Lindbergh sets out on unmarked air trail for Paris; Missouri youth hurls his Ryan monoplane, "The Spirit of St. Louis," into muggy air above Roosevelt Field few minutes before 8 a.m.; plane carries 448 gallons of gasoline, and 25-year-old aviator expects to land in Paris with no stops on way in not more than 36 hours.

Rescuers are unable to locate body of 10-year-old Elmer Rogers, who was instantly killed and his body hurled into Mississippi River, when he was struck by Sunnyland, Frisco northbound train, at trestle over Indian Creek one mile south of Neelys Landing yesterday; he is son of Mrs. Lettie Rogers.

- Sharon K. Sanders