Out of the past 7/3/03

10 years ago: July 3, 1993

For sixth time in six days, National Weather Service has revised flood crest for Mississippi River at Cape Girardeau; latest crest could be highest here in 10 years, and fifth highest in 100 years; forecasters now predict crest of 43 feet on Friday, 13 feet above flood stage.

Cape Girardeau firefighters are called to roof of Froggies Lounge, in 100 block of Water street, shortly before 7 p.m. after utility line shorts out and falls on tar roof; lounge adjoins Jeremiah's Restaurant at 127 N. Water; at one point, several minutes after firefighters arrive, heavy smoke can be seen coming from tar that is burning on roof of lounge; but firefighters quickly extinguish blaze, and damage to building is minor.

25 years ago: July 3, 1978

Two deaths in Cape Girardeau County in past three days have been attributed in part to heat; first heat-related death occurred Friday night, when Gordonville farmer William Hennecke, 70, died in 90-degree weather while working in his fields; second death occurred Saturday night; Ellanora Pritz, 70, of Cape Girardeau, died while working in her backyard garden.

Patriotic spirit is rising as area residents prepare to celebrate Fourth of July; many community picnics began Saturday marking long holiday weekend and will close late tomorrow; big July Fourth Doin's at Arena Park, sponsored by Cape Jaycees, will swing into its third round this evening; highlighting the night's activities is square dance exhibition and disco dance in Arena Building.

50 years ago: July 3, 1953

Aboard Air Force B-47 stratojet bomber when it crashed and burned in England yesterday, Maj. Thomas P. Russell, 31, was killed, as were two others aboard plane; he was son of Mr. and Mrs. Willard Russell of Hayti and grandson of late Mr. and Mrs. T.P. Russell of Cape Girardeau; plane crashed and burned at Heyford, village near Oxford.

Cape Girardeau business and industry will shut down tomorrow in observance of Independence Day, with celebration of holiday centering around 26th annual American Legion Fourth of July Picnic at Arena Park; features of picnic include stock car racing, new concession stand and fireworks display costing about $1,000.

75 years ago: July 3, 1928

Four sleepy Democrats roll into Cape Girardeau at 3 a.m., "fresh" from Democratic convention at Houston, Texas, where they watched on sidelines while party selected Al Smith and Sen. Joe Robinson as its standard bearers; party is composed of S.B. Hunter, R.L. Dearmont, A.L. Oliver and Nat M. Snider.

Business generally will suspend tomorrow in usual observance of Independence Day; stores will be closed entire day, as will offices, banks, post office and factories; picnic at Fairgrounds Park, sponsored by St. Vincent's Parish, will be one of big attractions of day and is expected to draw hundreds from wide area; parade, originating at Rudert's garage on Good Hope, will inaugurate picnic fun.

-- Sharon K. Sanders