Out of the past 7/21/02

10 years ago: July 21, 1992

Divided city council yesterday voted to direct Parks and Recreation Advisory Board to develop "sports theme" proposal for use of excess city tourism funds; action came at recommendation of city's Convention and Visitors Bureau Advisory Board, which spent past six months studying eight proposal for use of tourism funds.

Lone Star Industries Inc. of Cape Girardeau, one of largest users of energy in area, has converted its coal-burning cement kiln into system that also will burn shredded rubber and toxic waste fuels; at full capacity, plant will burn 2.4 tons of shredded rubber and more than 1,200 gallons of waste fuel each hour.

25 years ago: July 21, 1977

Cancer center designed to serve wide region and offering concentration of sophisticated treatment facilities and specialized health care team took giant stride forward last night when Southeast Missouri Hospital board of trustees voted to proceed with feasibility study for development and construction of such a center.

Permission to enter property in order to clean Cape LaCroix Creek has been obtained by west end businessmen from all but one landowner, Joe Mirgeaux told city council yesterday; assurances have been given that release will be signed for that property as well; Mirgeaux asked city to begin preparations for cleaning out creek.

50 years ago: July 21, 1952

Railroad freight volume has increased 100 to 400 percent as result of truck strike in St. Louis, two local railroad lines report; both Frisco and Missouri Pacific say deliveries are being made promptly, and there is no strain on yard or rolling stock facilities, although clerical work is piling up.

Chaffee - Upon recommendation of citizens' committee, headed by Fred Lewallen, which studied report and recommendations of firm of consulting engineers, city council has called election for Aug. 1, for acceptance of $154,000 water and sewer improvement bond issue; committee reported that present water and sewer systems are inadequate and outmoded due to growth of Chaffee and expansion of demands during past decade.

75 years ago: July 21, 1927

Dr. J.J. Schneider, optician, did high dive from roof of barn in his yard late yesterday, leaving him battered and bruised; ladder slipped and Schneider fell about 20 feet, striking on his face; it took doctors a few hours to decide that Schneider's skull wasn't crushed and no bones were broken, and it will be week or more before he is at his office again.

Cairo, Ill. - Southern Illinois makes its bid enthusiastically, and for most part harmoniously, for immediate construction of north-and-south and east-and-west state highways in that section at big mass meeting at Cairo; McClure, Anna, Reynoldsville, Ware and other towns will be served by roads which state of Illinois proposes to build with its $100,000,000 bond issue.

- Sharon K. Sanders