Out of the past 8/12/04

10 years ago: Aug. 12, 1994

First River Heritage Regional Black Family Reunion in Cape Girardeau kicks off with presentation by the Rev. Benjamin Hooks, former executive director of NAACP; Hooks attends prayer breakfast and is keynote speaker at leadership seminar that is part of reunion.

Cape Girardeau's flood-control project is generating good news and bad news for motorists; new Themis Street bridge over Walker Creek opens to traffic in morning; but Independence Street span over same creek will be closed to east-bound traffic beginning Monday.

25 years ago: Aug. 12, 1979

Dr. Bill Ellis celebrates his 10th anniversary as pastor of Lynwood Baptist Church; open house is held for Dr. and Mrs. Ellis in afternoon in church dining hall.

There may have been baby boom after World War II, but even those records were broken this weekend, when 22 babies were born in three-day period at Southeast Missouri Hospital.

50 years ago: Aug. 12, 1954

Cape Special Road District has begun repair of bridge across Big Flora Creek in Egypt Mills, which washed out in heavy rain recently; west abutment of 50-year-old bridge was undermined by force of water, and end of bridge was moved below roadbed level and downstream several inches.

Workers are busy preparing gymnasium at new Central High School for opening of school term, week of Labor Day; principal R.L. Sheets expects work to be completed by opening date; currently, basketball floor is being sanded.

75 years ago: Aug. 12, 1929

Hattie Habeck, 17, daughter of Mrs. Henry Habeck, was knocked unconscious and paralyzed for several hours Saturday afternoon as result of shock from bolt of lighting, which struck tree near building in which she had taken refuge during electrical and rain storm.

Walter Lemaster, sub-contractor for Rouse Construction Co., is grading on Illinois highway east of Cape Girardeau traffic bridge to McClure, Ill., preparatory to beginning of pavement construction on route within a few weeks.

-- Sharon K. Sanders