Out of the past 8/13/03

10 years ago: Aug. 13, 1993

St. Louis - President Bill Clinton yesterday signed into law $5.7 million disaster relief bill to aid Midwestern flood victims, who he hailed as ordinary people who through heroic deeds inspired all of America.

Benton, Mo. - Scott County voters will be asked to authorize riverboat gambling in election Nov. 2 that could lead to establishment of floating casino at Southeast Missouri Regional Port near Scott City; riverboat gambling also will be on election ballot in Cape Girardeau that day, marking second time around for issue in Cape Girardeau; voters rejected issue in June.

25 years ago: Aug. 13, 1978

Dean of Cape Girardeau's retail businessmen, Robert E. Lee Lamkin dies at Lutheran Nursing Home at age 92; until his retirement from business three years ago, when he became infirm, Lamkin had spent almost every day of his life at Buckner-Ragsdale Co. Store, period of 68 years.

The Rev. Ann Baker, one of about 150 women ordained priests worldwide in Anglican Communion, preaches at Christ Episcopal Church in morning; last week, she became first woman to preach and administer communion at the more than 100-year-old Cape Girardeau church.

50 years ago: Aug. 13, 1953

Cape Girardeau soldier, Pfc. Arthur W. Helderman, who was reported missing in action less than month after outbreak of Korean War in 1950, has been reported killed in action, his sister, Mrs. Viola Greable of Cape Girardeau, learns; his mother, Mrs. Louise Brown of Bradley, Ill., was notified of his death by Department of Defense.

Charles Harris, 17, son of Mr. and Mrs. C.P. Harris of Illmo, was severely injured and burned yesterday, when he fell 35 feet from roof of building at Trojan Powder Co. plant at Wolf Lake, Ill., with 5-gallon bucket of hot tar.

75 years ago: Aug. 13, 1928

"Queens" of Southeast Missouri towns are guests of various Cape Girardeau organizations, and from among these one woman will be selected later today to be queen of bridge dedication celebration in September; others will be maids of honor; contestants are Dorothy Seabaugh of Cape Girardeau, Bernice Oakes of Kennett, Lelia M. Buchanan of Malden, Ruth Jones of Sikeston, Agatha Mumma of Gideon, Lillian McAtee of Illmo and Fornfelt, Sadie L. Mitchell of Hayti, Edith Compas of Benton, Norma Wagner of Jackson, Mary F. Sawyer of Caruthersville and Thelma King of Charleston.

Electrical power in Cape Girardeau is suspended 20 minutes in morning by blowing off of check valve to one of boilers at power plant of Missouri Utilities Co.

-- Sharon K. Sanders