Out of the past 5/4/04

10 years ago: May 4, 1994

Cape Girardeau's massive flood-control project continues to take shape along Walker Branch, with new bridge to Town Plaza area scheduled to open today; bridge spans Walker Branch from Town Plaza parking area to Kingshighway.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Legislation to send constitutional amendment back to voters this year legalizing games of chance on riverboats apparently lacks support in House of Representatives to pass.

25 years ago: May 4, 1979

Douglas Wayne Thompson, who is seeking new trials on both his Southeast Missouri murder convictions, doesn't stand in jeopardy of death penalty should he be retried and found guilty, says Circuit Judge Flake McHaney of Kennett; Thompson was convicted for slayings of Cape Girardeau auxiliary policeman Herbert L. Goss and Wayne County timber worker Raymond Glover.

CAIRO, Ill. -- Two unsuccessful candidates for city commissioner in April 17 Cairo municipal election, Ripley Young and Bobby Whitaker, have filed suit challenging election.

50 years ago: May 4, 1954

Full-scale battle has been drawn against army worms in Cape Girardeau County and surrounding area, with airplane spray rigs carrying brunt of attack.

Frost, with some light ice, is general over county, survey shows; but reports indicate damage to all but tender garden plants is slight.

75 years ago: May 4, 1929

W.C. Bahn, Cape Girardeau hardware dealer, is elected president of Teachers College Board of Regents; election of Bahn follows resignation of Col. H.J. Talbot of St. Louis as president of board.

Interstate Hotels Inc., company operating Hotel Marquette, has been sold to George T. Thompson Hotel Corp. of St. Louis, operating company for Hotel Marquette in St. Louis; new manager of hostelry is Paul Limbrey.

-- Sharon K. Sanders