Out of the past 8/21/03

10 years ago: Aug. 21, 1993

Waters from "Flood of 1993" are receding slowly, but record flood's aftermath is leaving behind some numbing statistics; millions of acres of land have been affected in Missouri, Iowa and Illinois; raging waters have wiped out more than 1,900 levees in Midwest; highways, railroads, businesses and homes along Missouri, Mississippi and Illinois rivers have suffered damages up to $5 billion in Missouri and from $15 to $20 billion in Midwest.

Area legislators say they are receptive to sooner-than-expected state gas tax hike as way to generate revenue for repairs of flood-damaged roads and bridges; but most are wary of other tax increases to pay for flood damage, contending new taxes should be last resort.

25 years ago: Aug. 21, 1978

Cairo, Ill. -- Tomorrow's scheduled start of classes in Cairo School District will be delayed if striking Cairo teachers and district's school board can't agree within next few hours on new contract; striking teachers, members of Cairo Association of Teachers, continue to man picket lines at Cairo public schools and district's administration offices as strike enters its second week.

There may yet be solution to Westfield area problem regarding safety of children who live within one-mile limit and must walk to Hawthorn School; design is nearly complete on foot bridge that will cross Cape LaCroix Creek to provide shortcut to school and allow pupils who walk to avoid busy Hopper Road; however, bridge won't be ready by start of school this week.

50 years ago: Aug. 21, 1953

Arrangements were completed last night at meeting of SEMO District Fair board of directors for most of personnel needed for Fair Week; members of Headquarters Co., 140th Infantry, National Guard, commanded by 1st Lt. Vinson Rueseler, will act as guards and car parkers throughout fair.

Plans for remodeling old Broadway School building are unveiled simultaneously with announcement of acquisition of property by Cape Girardeau Medical Arts Building Inc.; corporation is composed of Madge R. Ridings, Jane Duncan Shoss, Margaret E. Crowe, Berandean Campbell and Mary Hunter Kinder.

75 years ago: Aug. 21, 1928

Fire, ignited by lightning strike, destroys barn, together with hay, feed stock and 45 bushels of Irish potatoes, on farm of T.H. Lewis, three miles west of Cape Girardeau, early in morning; Lewis is confined to bed with wrenched back, received when he fell from ladder leading to hay mow of building which he had climbed to investigate extent of fire.

Schools of Cape Girardeau County are being asked to suspend classes on Sept. 3, when Mississippi River traffic bridge is dedicated and formally opened; Secretary W.F.D. Batjer of Chamber of Commerce has sent letters to teachers in various districts asking them to dismiss school that day so children may attend exercises here.

-- Sharon K. Sanders