Out of the past 7/5/03

10 years ago: July 5, 1993

Rain continues to fall in parts of northern and central Missouri and Iowa and Illinois, but National Weather Service is sticking with its earlier prediction of 43-foot flood crest on Mississippi River at Cape Girardeau late Friday; some residents who live near river in unprotected areas outside floodwall and levee in Red Star and South Cape Girardeau are preparing to flee rising floodwaters.

Cape Girardeau Civic Center plans major remodeling project to convert its building solely to education and youth center; drive to raise $140,000 to fund renovations is under way; Civic Center, 232 Broadway, has shared its home since 1987 with Cape Girardeau Nutrition Center; last week, senior center moved to its new home on Clark street.

25 years ago: July 5, 1978

Cape Girardeau Jaycees' Fourth of July Doin's was great success; four-day celebration that began Saturday drew more than 29,000 people to Arena Park over weekend; yesterday was big day of festival, with 12,000 people from Cape Girardeau and surrounding area attending; along with carnival rides and gigantic fireworks display, two other events were held; David East of Cape Girardeau won mud wrestling event, and Knights of Columbus captured traveling Battle of the Superclubs trophy.

Local supporters of controversial "right-to-work" constitutional amendment say they have succeeded in their drive for signatures in 10th Congressional District; Hal Phillips, assistant area coordinator, says that petitioners have collected at least 23,000 in district.

50 years ago: July 5, 1953

Chaffee, Mo. -- Attorney R.P. Smith of Cape Girardeau fills pulpit of Christian Church for morning worship service, in absence of pastor, the Rev. Milton Dawson, who is on vacation; Smith speaks on "Citizenship in a Christian Life"; the Rev. Frank S. Wilfinger, pastor of Christian Church at Cape Girardeau, preaches at evening service.

John Godwin flies to Hutchinson, Kan., with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. J.E. Godwin of Cooter, and his aunt and uncle, Mr. and Mrs. J.S. Godwin of Jackson; it is first flight for his uncle, who is 71 years old; while in Hutchinson, they visited Mr. and Mrs. Jefferson Welker.

75 years ago: July 5, 1928

Archie Smiley, 10, of Chaffee was seriously injured and four other people, including three children, were also hurt in explosion of toy cannon during fireworks celebration last night at Chaffee; Smiley is in critical condition at St. Francis Hospital; his right hand was torn off by blast and his left hand so badly mangled that it was amputated.

Max Wielpuetz announces he has purchased interests of his father and two brothers in Wielpuetz bakery; purchase marks formal retirement of C. Wielpuetz, father of Max, from baking business; elder Wielpuetz established bakery in Cape Girardeau 17 years ago and remained active in business until few years ago.

-- Sharon K. Sanders