Out of the past 8/2/03

10 years ago: Aug. 2, 1993

Sign has been placed on street clock at intersection of Main and Themis in downtown Cape Girardeau, proclaiming feelings of merchants: "We love our floodwall"; sign was installed by John and Evelyn Boardman and includes mark -- determined by construction foreman Bob Hershey -- representing where Mississippi River water would be at predicted 49-foot crest if not for wall.

Commerce, Mo. -- Many residents of Commerce are tired of floodwaters and just want to return home, while others aren't sure they want to move back after water recedes; about 40 residents attend regular Commerce City Council meeting to voice their opinions about allowing Federal Emergency Management Agency to purchase property of residents who want to leave flood plain and start anew elsewhere.

25 years ago: Aug. 2, 1978

Opposition is developing among property owners to proposed paving as tax-billed project of Cape Rock drive north of Perryville road; petitions opposing project have been circulated; delegation may go before city council tonight when bids are opened.

Perryville, Mo. -- Twenty-eight recommendations dealing with assortment of matters in various Perry County offices are contained in recently completed four-year audit of Perry County prepared by state auditor Thomas M. Keyes' office.

50 years ago: Aug. 2, 1953

New assistant pastor of First Baptist Church, the Rev. Arthur W. Clodfelter, is expected to arrive tomorrow to assume his duties; he has been living in Kansas City, Kan., since his graduation from Central Baptist Theological Seminary there, and has been serving as pastor of Baptist church in Edgerton, Mo.

The Rev. C.E. Fleshman, who has announced his resignation as minister of Church of the Nazarene, will move to Peoria, Ill., latter part of this month to accept First Church of the Nazarene; known as architect as well as pastor, Fleshman designed number of churches in state, including edifices at East Prairie, Poplar Bluff, Sikeston, Piedmont, Welston, Overland and Valley Park.

75 years ago: Aug. 2, 1928

Belief that Illmo factory of Menzies Shoe Co., with headquarters in St. Louis, will continue to operate, is expressed by C.R. Story, general manager of manufacturing division of company.

Kennett, Mo. -- Despite handicap of rainy weather this spring, Dunklin County melon growers will produce 25 percent more watermelons this season than they produced last season, according to farm agent C.R. Talbert.

-- Sharon K. Sanders