Out of the past 6/4/02

10 years ago: June 4, 1992

When school bell rings in afternoon, it marks beginning of summer vacation for students in Cape Girardeau Public Schools; it also means good-bye for some students, teachers and staff; 19 employees of district are retiring and number of others won't be returning.

Union Electric Co. and city of Cape Girardeau yesterday announced completion of city's $8.5 million purchase of Cape Girardeau water system; transaction, which will be financed through revenue bonds, brings 14,000 customers to the city operation.

25 years ago: June 4, 1977

Chester, Ill. -- Women of Beta Sigma Phi want to bring Popeye the Sailor Man home where he belongs - here; they think its best way to honor Elvie Segar, Chester native who thought up cartoon swabbie; members of Xi Upsilon chapter of Beta Sigma Phi sorority have raised $10,000 to erect 6-foot bronze statue of Popeye sometime this month, in tribute to his creator.

Missouri Attorney General John D. Ashcroft was commencement speaker yesterday for graduation ceremonies of Central High School at Houck Stadium; Nancy Noffel and David Boswell were recognized as valedictorian and salutatorian of class of 286 pupils.

50 years ago: June 4, 1952

Chances of lowering proposed 7-cent levy to pay off bonds used to improve Municipal Airport appeared slim following meeting of Airport Board yesterday at which it was explained the figure is necessary to meet principal and interest obligations; 7-cent levy has been incorporated in ordinance setting city's 1952 tax rate; ordinance is hanging fire, however, following its first reading until Mayor Manning P. Greer completes study of municipal finance structure.

Juvenile vandals defaced new concrete flagstones at tomb of Louis Lorimier almost before concrete dried at Old Lorimier Cemetery; concrete was poured at east side of tomb and in it are embedded flat tombstones of two of Lorimier's grandchildren; lettering was chiseled in semi-hardened concrete, according to groundskeeper, Bert Curtright.

75 years ago: June 4, 1927

Although handicapped by high stage of river, which prevents work on mid-stream piers, construction of traffic bridge across Mississippi River at Cape Girardeau is progressing; employees of U.G.I. Contracting Co. this week are driving piling on Illinois shore for abutment pier at east approach to bridge.

Swollen by excessive rains of recent weeks which have produced bank-full stages in most tributary streams, Mississippi River at Cape Girardeau is expected to reach 34.5 or 35 feet by Tuesday; this is official prediction of weather bureau, as reports from upstream points show that river, fed by rain water, is showing no signs of discontinuing its present rise.

-- Sharon K. Sanders