Out of the past 8/19/03

10 years ago: Aug. 19, 1993

A 50-foot crack developed in Fayville-Miller City agricultural levee near Olive Branch, Ill., Wednesday; Corps of Engineers officials hope to stop leak with additional rock; crack appeared shortly after noon in crown of private levee, forcing authorities to order immediate evacuation of flood workers in case it fails.

Federal buyouts of flood-damaged homes in Cape Girardeau may be unlikely, according to state Rep. Mary Kasten; Kasten says she has spoken with number of residents of Red Star area, who have expressed interest in government buying out their damaged homes.

25 years ago: Aug. 19, 1978

St. Louis architect Gerhardt Kramer is in Cape Girardeau as part of weekend tour he is leading through part of Southeast Missouri under auspices of St. Louis University.

Cape Girardeau stands to lose ground in battle it thought was won with Environmental Protection Agency over standards and regulations for maintaining air quality; Chamber of Commerce executive director Robert B. Hendrix characterized as "disastrous" proposed new amendments that would return city to same "no growth" category it was assigned three years ago.

50 years ago: Aug. 19, 1953

Contract to collect and dispose of city's garbage and refuse for 3-year period is awarded to M.H. Hoffmeister, Cape Girardeau excavating contractor, at special session of city council; Hoffmeister will pick up and dispose of unlimited quantity of garbage and trash twice weekly at charge of $1.15 per family unit, if it is placed at front curb or accessible rear alley.

To provide emergency service until permanent installations can be made, single telephone will be installed at central point in Leopold to serve community which has been without service for more than five years; spokesman for Southwestern Bell Telephone Co. says toll circuit now running between Marble Hill and Advance will be utilized.

75 years ago: Aug. 19, 1928

Arrangements have been completed by members of St. Mary's Catholic Church for purchase and installation of new Wicks direct electric pipe organ, which probably will be ready for use in November; representative of Wicks Organ Co. of Highland, Ill., spent several days in Cape Girardeau surveying church and taking dimensions.

The Rev. H.C. Hoy, pastor of Centenary Methodist Church, preaches in evening at union service at Courthouse Park; his subject is "The Unfinished Task of Men."

-- Sharon K. Sanders