Out of the past 6/12/04

10 years ago: June 12, 1994

Missouri has official flower, tree, instrument, song, even fossil, but no official animal; members of American Legion Post 63 of Cape Girardeau hope to change that; they are spearheading statewide campaign to get Missouri mule, a fellow veteran, named state's official animal.

Unprecedented attendance, promise of another generous commitment by Boyd Gaming Corp., and crowd that was willing to exercise patience when it was time to leave put fitting cap on Riverfest 1994; estimated 75,000 people attended two-day celebration; main attraction last night was concert by Martina McBride, sponsored by Boyd Gaming.

25 years ago: June 12, 1979

Early-morning fire burns out interior of Fashion House, Inc., 122 N. Main, destroying most of merchandise and fixtures in women's clothing store; Donald Walsh and his sister, Naydene Walsh, co-own store.

Three members of Cape Girardeau County Court say they would order that proposal to repeal ban on Sunday sales be put to vote in county, if enough interest in issue is expressed; they say, however, they won't call special election to vote on question.

50 years ago: June 12, 1954

Cape Girardeau Civil Defense establishment, in process of reorganizing under director Kenneth Cruse, will receive its first test early next week when it participates with other states in "Operation Alert," exercise assuming the atom bombing of St. Louis and Kansas City.

Excavation is under way for construction of gasoline storage and dock installation of Socony-Vacuum Oil Co.; storage plant is to be located on plot of ground known as "cotton patch," one of Houck properties, between Aquamsi Street and Missouri Pacific Railroad tracks; site is just east of intersection of Aquamsi and Sprigg and new Highway 74.

75 years ago: June 12, 1929

Receding nearly 10 inches during past 24-hour period, Mississippi River is falling rapidly and indications are that it will subside to normal stage shortly; this morning's stage is 32.2 feet at Cape Girardeau.

Contract was awarded by U.S. government yesterday for reconstruction of St. John's Bayou levee near New Madrid at cost expected to reach $186,000; contract was awarded to William W. Roth of Hickman, Ky., on bid of 20 cents per cubic foot for earth moved; it is estimated there will be 930,000 cubic feet of dirt to be moved.-- Sharon K. Sanders