Out of the past 7/15/03

10 years ago: July 15, 1993

More heavy rains along Missouri and Mississippi rivers north of St. Louis has prompted National Weather Service to raise predicted flood crest at Cape Girardeau to 46.5 feet on Wednesday, up 1 1/2 feet from earlier prediction; meanwhile, with most streams along Mississippi River and Diversion Channel in Cape Girardeau County bank full or out of their banks, emergency services officials are concerned about possibility of flash flooding in event of thunderstorms.

Las Vegas-based Boyd Group said earlier this summer that if riverboat gambling is approved by Cape Girardeau voters, gaming organization was willing to invest $37 million in downtown area.

25 years ago: July 15, 1978

Cape Girardeau physician and his wife, Dr. and Mrs. Raymond A. Ritter, are preparing for good will trip to several European countries; Ritters will take part in program established by President Dwight Eisenhower in 1956; it is program aimed at encouraging community, regional and national delegations to take part in mission to meet people of other countries.

Man who literally guided thousands of Southeast Missouri State University students through English courses for 43 years will return to campus July 22 to deliver summer commencement address; Dr. H.O. Grauel, professor emeritus of English, is first retired faculty member asked by Board of Regents to be keynote commencement speaker; he retired in 1971.

50 years ago: July 15, 1953

Receipts of Mississippi River traffic bridge for 12-month period ending May 30 showed increase of $70,525 over those in 1951-52 period, report of auditors to Cape Special Road District shows.

In pruning state appropriations, Gov. Phil M. Donnelly at Jefferson City yesterday cut $42,400 from funds set aside for State College by General Assembly; amount was taken in main from salary accounts.

75 years ago: July 15, 1928

The Rev. C.H. Morton, pastor of First Presbyterian Church, delivers sermon at union service at Courthouse Park in evening; special music is provided by choir of First Presbyterian.

Cape Girardeau's record of more than seven weeks without fire was shattered last night when two fires, one of them serious, occurred to end "fireless" run of greatest length in recent history; large, two-story frame dwelling in Smelterville, owned by Charles Miskey, was destroy, and small three-room dwelling, occupied by Mrs. W.C. Wendels, which was adjacent to bigger building, was badly damaged in more serious blaze.

-- Sharon K. Sanders