Out of the past 7/24/03

10 years ago: July 24, 1993

Mississippi River at Cape Girardeau reached crest yesterday and is receding slightly, but worst isn't over; after crest Friday of 46.6 feet, National Weather Service is predicting another crest of 47 feet on Aug. 3; today's river stage is 46.4 feet.

Miller City, Ill. -- Once flood disaster bill passes Congress, checks can be in farmers' hands within two weeks; that's promise that U.S. Agriculture Secretary Mike Espy makes during his latest round of flood-area inspections along upper Mississippi River; Espy tours Miller City area by boat and later meets with farmers, community leaders and officials during special session at Shawnee Community College.

25 years ago: July 24, 1978

Missouri National Guardsmen from throughout Southeast Missouri returned home Saturday following two weeks of training at Fort Leonard Wood; 72-hour battalion field training exercise ended two weeks of training and instruction; more than 650 men from Cape Girardeau, Jackson, Perryville, Charleston, Sikeston and Portageville took part in training.

Bloomfield, Mo. -- Wounded Stoddard County deputy sheriff, felled by shot from Kansas jail escapee inside darkened mobile home, blindly returns fire, killing his assailant; Deputy Larry Hampton, 35, is being treated for serious wounds to arm and shoulder at Poplar Bluff hospital.

50 years ago: July 24, 1953

Cpl. Robert L. Gilliland, son of Mr. and Mrs. N.F. Gilliland of Cape Girardeau, was wounded in action early this month while serving with Marine Corps in Korea; Gilliland, 21, is in military hospital; recent letter from him says his wound isn't serious.

Kansas City Marine, one of triplets whose mother was from Ancell and nephew of several residents of Cape Girardeau area, was killed in action in Korea July 12, it is learned; killed was Harold J. McKnight, son of Harry and Bertha Diebold McKnight of Kansas City; his grandmother is Mrs. Louisa Diebold of Ancell.

75 years ago: July 24, 1928

Louis K. Juden Post of American Legion has organized special service group of 32 men, designed to be permanent in its community activity; group will be composed of men trained to do special work to aid city police department in handling of traffic or meeting any emergency which may arise.

Commerce, Mo. -- Benjamin F. Anderson, 76, oldest resident of Commerce and pioneer of Scott County, dies from malaria at his home; for 54 years Anderson had been agent for steamboat lines on Mississippi River and perhaps no man along river was better known by river folks; he is survived by his wife, Mary E. Wylie Anderson; four sons, a daughter and a sister.

-- Sharon K. Sanders