Out of the past 8/19/02

10 years ago: Aug. 19, 1992

Southeast Missouri State University may not be Harvard, but it is attracting its share of scholarly students; 13 National Merit finalists this fall will attend Southeast, most in school's history; nationwide, there are about 14,000 National Merit finalists, representing best and brightest students.

Washington Elementary School playground equipment is getting new look in preparation for school's opening next week; group of youngsters who are members of Cape Girardeau Junior Optimist Club from nearby SEMO Community Treatment Center is using bright red, yellow and green paint to give swings and climbing bars brilliant look.

25 years ago: Aug. 19, 1977

Fire destroys nearly completed home of Sheriff James J. Below on Pecan Grove Road near Dutchtown early in morning; authorities are investigating possibility of arson as fire's origin; fire is discovered at 3:47 a.m. by Mrs. Below, who was awakened by couple's barking dogs; Belows are living in mobile home adjacent to new house and were waiting for carpet to be installed before moving into house in about a week.

Investigation into alleged discrimination on basis of sex by Southeast Missouri State University is being conducted; Civil Rights Office of Department of Health, Education and Welfare will investigate complaint filed by female faculty member.

50 years ago: Aug. 19, 1952

Commissioner Louis Brune, serving in fifth month of his second term as head of Department of Public Works, says he will resign his office effective Aug. 31 in aftermath of city council action Monday accepting resignation of longtime City Engineer John R. Walter; Brune was re-elected to council in April by largest number of votes of any candidate.

Central High School teacher, to be selected immediately by five-member local committee, will be beneficiary of $3,000 fellowship, plus travel expenses, during approaching school year under Fund for the Advancement of Education established by Ford Foundation; chosen educator won't teach for a year.

75 years ago: Aug. 19, 1927

With completion of last coat of plastering on first floor, and finishing of paint work, new Southeast Missouri Hospital in West Cape Girardeau will be practically ready for installation of equipment; four weeks will be required to put finishing touches on building itself, and after which lavatory equipment, furniture and fixtures will be installed; hospital will be completed within a month.

Temperatures took tumble yesterday, dropping to 71 degrees; rain fell yesterday evening, accompanied by chilling drop in thermometer which lasted into today; high this afternoon has been 73 degrees.

- Sharon K. Sanders