Out of the past 7/31/03

10 years ago: July 31, 1993

Weary flood workers and sandbaggers who have battled flooding Mississippi River and Diversion Channel most of July are bracing for what they hope will be final battle: Fighting all-time-record crest of 49 feet; yesterday, National Weather Service revised Cape Girardeau Mississippi River flood crest up one-half foot; it's still expected to crest on Thursday, barring any significant and prolonged rain to north.

Peach growers say that despite unusually cool spring and hot, humid July, it's going to be a "peach of a crop" this year in Cape Girardeau area; that means it's time for lots of fresh peaches for cobblers, ice cream and just for peeling and eating.

25 years ago: July 31, 1978

County voters Aug. 8 will decide five primary contests for county offices, giving four Democrats and one Republican opportunity to face opponents in November general election; on Democratic primary ballot, there are contests for county clerk, recorder of deeds, presiding county court judge and 1st District County Court judge; lone Republican race is also for county court presiding judge.

East Prairie, Mo. -- Missouri highway patrolman is stabbed three times with pocket knife in his patrol car by man he is taking to Mississippi County jail after intoxicated driving arrest; Trooper Harvey Harris doesn't realize he has been stabbed until he stops patrol car, handcuffs arrested man and proceeds on way to jail; Harris, who is hospitalized, thought his assailant was hitting him.

50 years ago: July 31, 1953

Work is progressing at full speed to further strengthen levee south of Cape Girardeau -- key point in Southeast Missouri if area is struck by major flood; $246,690 project involving movement of 900,000 yards of dirt is under way at Diversion Channel, where workers are reinforcing and raising levee six feet.

Death of Sen. Robert A. Taft at New York hospital reminds Cape Girardeans that senator twice spoke here; first occasion was Oct. 8, 1940, when he spoke on behalf of candidacy of Wendell L. Wilkie for presidency; just 15 months ago, in midst of his own strenuous campaign for president, Taft spoke to crowd of 1,000 at Courthouse Park.

75 years ago: July 31, 1928

By unanimous action last night, Rotary Club of Cape Girardeau decided to secure land on Whitewater River, about 30 miles north of Cape Girardeau, for permanent camping ground to be used by Boy Scouts and Campfire Girls; club will pay all expenses and retain ownership and supervision of recreation place, which will be known as Camp Rotary.

Formation of permanent organization to aid Southeast Missouri Hospital is proposed and plan adopted at meeting of leading Cape Girardeau residents at $50-per-plate dinner for hospital held at First Baptist Church.

-- Sharon K. Sanders