Out of the past 5/3/03

10 years ago: May 3, 1993

U.S. District Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh has ruled that provisions of federal law supersede Missouri Constitution provision preventing public schools from being used to transport parochial school students to special education classes; judge handed down order in response to lawsuit filed against Cape Girardeau School District and Missouri Department of elementary and Secondary Education by Charles and Pamela Felter family.

Torch was passed in Jackson Monday night as 11-term Mayor Carlton Meyer turned over reins of city government to former Ward 1 Alderman Paul Sander, who defeated Meyer in last month's municipal election.

25 years ago: May 3, 1978

Unnamed real estate developer has contacted Mayor Paul Stehr and asked that he be given same treatment Doctors Park Inc., has requested on waiving city inspection fees for private street construction; inquiry has brought issue to fore; Doctors Park manager David T. Berry appeared before council April 5 to ask that corporation be permitted to construct streets in extensive new part of their development by city specification, but without having to pay city inspection fees.

Minnesota Vikings pick Southeast Missouri State University kicker Mike Wood in eighth round of NFL draft; Wood receives call from Vikings Coach Bud Grant in morning, after spending grueling 24 hours waiting for call yesterday, first day of draft.

50 years ago: May 3, 1953

Holy Communion is administered for first time to 42 children at St. Mary's Catholic Church during solemn evening ceremony; in attendance are parents and friends of children; class was trained by Sister Christa, S.S.N.D., and Sister Mary Joyce, S.S.N.D., assisted by the Rev. William E. Kraemer.

Fire threatens Wilson's Cafeteria building, 417 Broadway, in evening, but prompt action by firefighters prevents serious damage to structure; wood cornice, part of roof of kitchen and rear door are burned, and there is some smoke damage to interior; cafeteria is only few doors west of Idan-Ha Hotel, in heart of Broadway business district.

75 years ago: May 3, 1928

Teachers College Board of Regents has elected three new members of faculty: Harold Oscar Grauel, Henry W. Olson and George H. Pritchard; regents also approved plans for completion of Houck Field by early autumn.

Dorothy Seabaugh, pretty junior at Central High School, is "Miss Cape Girardeau" for 1928; she is selected at New Broadway Theater from list of 12 other pretty young girls in contest staged by Missouri Beauty Pageant to determine who will represent this city in statewide beauty contest to be held in St. Louis May 18.

-- Sharon K. Sanders