Out of the past 8/14/04

10 years ago: Aug. 14, 1994

Free picnic caps off events of first three-day River Regional Black Family Reunion; picnic at Arena Park is open to all.

Bishop John J. Leibrecht of Springfield-Cape Girardeau Diocese recently announced new pastoral assignments affecting Catholic parishes throughout southern Missouri; among those reassigned is the Rev. Jay Gibson, newly ordained, who is new associate pastor at St. Vincent's Church in Cape Girardeau.

25 years ago: Aug. 14, 1979

GRAY'S POINT, Mo. -- Two-year effort by Southeast Missouri Regional Port Authority to lease industrial site apparently comes to end with reaching of agreement with Westlake Quarry; long-term lease is signed for 200-acre site here owned by quarry.

Four possibilities of providing water drainage for low-lying area in south Cape Girardeau are listed in report to city council; however work is done, property owners in area lying east of South Kingshighway, between Highway 74 and Old Benton Road, could expect to pay about $75,000; if swamp at north end of area is to be permanently drained, cost could run as high as $200,000.

50 years ago: Aug. 14, 1954

Nat Miller Snider, 58, Cape Girardeau postmaster for 20 years, dies unexpectedly, presumably of heart attack, while he is mowing lawn.

Police reveal acts of vandalism in public school property, which occurred early this week; old Haas residence, at corner of Thilenius and Caruthers, owned by school district, was broken into and ransacked; culprits are believed to be children, as small footprints were found in dust on floors.

75 years ago: Aug. 14, 1929

About 10 miles of roads leading to Cape Girardeau from rural areas in Cape Special Road District will be graveled soon to provide surface making roads all-weather routes; roads to be improved will be sections of Benton Hill, Hopper and Oak Grove roads.

Between 1,500 and 2,500 people attend dairy day program at Jackson; meeting is held on west side of public square, and Jersey cow is given away to Hubert Mayfield of Jackson; principal address is given by A.F. Stevens, dairy specialist from Missouri College of Agriculture at Columbia.

-- Sharon K. Sanders