Out of the past 8/17/04

10 years ago: Aug. 17, 1994

Renovation of Rotary Lake in Jackson City Park, which began in July, is complete and lake is refilling; more than 16,000 cubic yards of silt and sediment were removed from 3.2-acre lake to deepen it and improve fish habitat.

Southeast Missouri Regional Port Authority Commission authorizes port executive director Dan Overbey to purchase locomotive from government surplus property.

25 years ago: Aug. 17, 1979

In effort to promote Cape Girardeau, city's Chamber of Commerce is developing concept called Cape Commodores to serve as ambassadors of good will for community; Cape Commodores, consisting of 20 chamber members, will attend conventions, speak at state and national events, and travel throughout nation contacting people about Cape Girardeau.

Central High School yearbooks, The Girardots, won't be distributed this weekend as planned; books have been sent back to plant for remake, according to yearbook adviser Elizabeth Lockhart.

50 years ago: Aug. 17, 1954

First readings of two ordinances for construction of trunk and lateral sanitary sewers in Golladay Addition were enacted at yesterday's city council meeting; council also heard request for action on fate of old Common Pleas Courthouse by Benjamin E. Dietrich.

Millersville Reorganized School District R-7 opened 15 bids submitted for purchase of five abandoned schoolhouses in newly organized district; buyers are Big Springs, Lawrence Wilkerson; Rieman, Alvester Hopkins; Link, R.A. Bollinger; Niswonger, Will Cobble; and Old Salem, J.E. Godwin.

75 years ago: Aug. 17, 1929

Two freight cars and empty coal car of mixed Missouri Pacific train were derailed yesterday afternoon a mile south of Jackson; freight cars were loaded with flour and their weight forced wheels into soft earth, grinding up ties and rails; no one was injured.

T.J. Chewning of near Lambertville, east of Benton, exhibits number of Spanish silver coins at The Missourian office, which he plowed up in field.

-- Sharon K. Sanders