Out of the past 6/15/04

10 years ago: June 15, 1994

Union Electric Co. is working at William-Sheridan intersection this week to upgrade its gas mains as part of ongoing project to replace cast iron mains along William; outside, eastbound lane of William will be blocked from 500 feet west of Sheridan to just east of Sheridan.

Under gender equity plan approved by board of regents, Southeast Missouri State University will put more money into women's athletics; first phase of plan would move athletics program within three years to 60-40 (male-female) percentage split in coaching staff, operations budget, number of athletes and scholarships.

25 years ago: June 15, 1979

Dormitory living conditions, campus security and cafeteria food at Southeast Missouri State University are among reasons listed by one of school's regents for his vote last month not to retain Dr. Robert E. Leestamper as president of institution.

Chief U.S. District Judge James H. Meredith will assume senior status Sept. 1, after 17 years on bench of Eastern District in St. Louis, judge says; U.S. District Judge Kenneth Wangelin will become chief judge of eastern district the same day.

50 years ago: June 15, 1954

Floating drydock, of size large enough to accommodate most of craft traveling up and down Mississippi River, is being constructed in shipyards of Missouri Barge Line Co., according to president, Robert Erlbacher; drydock is expected to be completed in next four or six months and will be kept here only if sufficient business is at hand.

Plans to send float to centennial celebration at Anna, Ill., on July 5 are discussed by Retail Merchants Association; members say float sent to Cairo, Ill., for bridge freeing recently was well received, and they are enthusiastic about sending another float to Anna event.

75 years ago: June 15, 1929

Excessive rains earlier in week have slowed fall of Mississippi River at Cape Girardeau; stage in morning is 29.9 feet, drop of only three-tenths of a foot in past 24 hours.

For completing a year without a single lost-time accident, Cape Girardeau plant of Marquette Cement Mfg. Co. is presented with trophy -- honor which in past has been accorded comparatively few industrial plants.

-- Sharon K. Sanders