Out of the past 6/11/04

10 years ago: June 11, 1994

Southeast Missouri State University has hired Paul Keys, professor and chairman of management and professional curriculum area at Hunter College of City University of New York School of Social Work, as new dean of school's College of Health and Human Resources.

Riverfest opened to huge crowd last night, due in part to ideal weather conditions; but early afternoon thunderstorm today puts brief damper on some of activities and forces delay in evening's fireworks display.

25 years ago: June 11, 1979

Battle appears to be shaping up between cities of Jackson and Cape Girardeau over annexation plan being proposed by county court; at meeting, court judges agree to write letter to Cape Girardeau City Council requesting "friendly annexation" by that city of County Farm Park on Highway 61.

Second suspect is arrested and charged with first-degree assault in connection with April 25 sniping attack on Cape Girardeau police station which wounded police Sgt. Cecil Propst.

50 years ago: June 11, 1954

Members of SEMO District Fair board are enthusiastic about new plan of ticket distribution put into effect this year; sales already total $2,500 and scarcely 10 percent of business places in city have yet to join in participation; under plan, merchants buy books of fair tickets, and then distribute them as they wish.

Three Cape Girardeau men have set August as target month for assault on speed record up Mississippi River from New Orleans to St. Louis; Capt. John Ritchie, Elwood Swann and Herman Blattel are building "air boat" with which they'll challenge record; boat is powered by airplane engine and propeller.

75 years ago: June 11, 1929

Fair weather has made possible much progress in construction of Missouri Pacific Railroad into Cape Girardeau; grading of roadbed has been going on steadily throughout the past week; notable progress has been made south of Diversion Channel, where McGeorge Construction Co. has labored under difficulty because of high water conditions in building grade for track and approach to steel bridge to be erected across channel.-- Sharon K. Sanders