Out of the past 7/23/03

10 years ago: July 23, 1993

When Mississippi River crests today at expected 46.6 feet, it will set new all-time record flood stage at Cape Girardeau; previous flood crest prediction of 47.2 feet tomorrow was revised downward yesterday by National Weather Service; forecasters have warned Mississippi may not fall below flood stage at Cape Girardeau until some time in mid-August.

During visit to Cape Girardeau County Thursday morning, Gov. Mel Carnahan praised work of volunteers and National Guard in battling floodwaters and promised state will do its part to fund disaster relief efforts.

25 years ago: July 23, 1978

Full Gospel Church, which was located at 1012 S. Ellis, has moved to new location at 1219 Merriwether; the Rev. Earl Cox, minister at Full Gospel, says church has changed locations with The Church of God, whose congregation now occupies building on South Ellis.

The Rev. Bill Ellis, pastor of Lynwood Baptist Church, was honored by congregation last Sunday for his recently earned doctorate degree in area of ministry and for his nine years of service to church; Ellis received his doctorate May 5 from Luther Rice Seminary at Jacksonville, Fla.

50 years ago: July 23, 1953

Major problem to be solved by city, even after plans and specifications have been completed and contract can be let, is how it will bear its share of cost of proposed Rodney Vista-Cape Rock Drive sanitary sewer system; city is largest property owner in district; it owns Arena Park, 90 acres in extent, in middle of area.

Judge James A. Finch, long a power in Missouri Republicanism and eminent attorney whose aggressive style and keen legal arguments won him repute in state and federal courts, dies at local hospital after yearlong illness; Finch was born in Louisville, Ill., in 1883; he first married Carrie Lehman, who died in 1945.

75 years ago: July 23, 1928

Judge Samuel Rosenfeld, St. Louis attorney, in address at rally of Jewish people of Southeast Missouri at Fairground Park yesterday, declared that religious tolerance and race prejudice is being rapidly swept aside in America; Rosenfeld spoke in behalf of B'Nai Brith organization.

As had been predicted Saturday, when Cotton Belt applied for permission to build additional tracks in Southeast Missouri, today railroad goes step further and asks to purchase by exchange of stock the three short lines which its additional tracks would connect.

-- Sharon K. Sanders