Out of the past 5/26/02

10 years ago: May 26, 1992

Three months behind schedule, city at last is poised to embark upon improvement project that officials hope will spawn broader use of Municipal Airport; impasse over use of minority subcontractors for renovation of airport terminal building is over; contractor, R.A. Schemel and Associates, last week was able to demonstrate its compliance with conditions of Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program, and received FAA approval to proceed with work.

Thebes, Ill. - Rock Springs Free Will Baptist Church is leveled by fire early in morning; Monroe Norris, deacon and Sunday school superintendent at church, says congregation will rebuild; cause of fire is under investigation by Illinois state fire marshal.

25 years ago: May 26, 1977

Benton - Missouri Department of Conservation, registering disapproval of timber harvesting on 433 acres of site near here currently under option by Scott County Court, says it isn't interested in acquiring land for development as wildlife and recreational area; court in March was granted option on 433-acre site near Morley at $375 per acre.

Employee representatives of city's waste disposal division met yesterday with City Manager W.G. Lawley in first round of annual discussions over wages and benefits; Ernest Englemann and William Bird presented list of four items, including $75 across-the-board monthly salary increase.

50 years ago: May 26, 1952

Urgency of $1,000,000 appropriation to start work within the year on flood bulwark to protect Cape Girardeau was argued to Senate appropriations subcommittee in Washington last week by R.B. Oliver Jr., attorney for Main Street and North Main Street Levee Improvement districts; his appearance in Washington was to urge committee to restore million dollars which had been cut by House appropriations committee from budget recommendation for flood-protection program here.

Committee of Cape Girardeau County Bar will begin soon to investigate possibility of moving Common Pleas Court and particularly its century-old records from fire hazardous Common Pleas Courthouse to Federal Building.

75 years ago: May 26, 1927

Modern funeral home will be built immediately by Walther Furniture & Undertaking Co., at southeast corner of North Middle and Bellevue streets, it is announced; plans for construction of handsome new building are being prepared, and work is expected to begin within 30 days.

Southeast Missouri salesmen come back to Cape Girardeau to hold their 31st annual meeting in city where organization was formed; with registration of nearly 300 by noon, indications are that attendance at three-day convention of Southeast Missouri Drummers Association will reach 500 or more.

- Sharon K. Sanders