Out of the past 8/23/03

10 years ago: Aug. 23, 1993

With filing period in less than two months, at least two members of Cape Girardeau City Council are weighing prospects of running for mayor next spring; Gene Rhodes, Cape Girardeau's mayor since 1986, has indicated he may not seek reelection; but two councilmen - Melvin Gateley and Dr. Melvin Kasten - are considering mayoral campaigns.

Cape Girardeau and Jackson cable television customers will be paying more for basic service and premium channels beginning Sept. 1; but price for expanded service will actually decrease under new rate structure, says Roger Harms, local manager of Tele-Communications Inc. cable system, which serves about 13,000 subscribers in Cape Girardeau and Jackson.

25 years ago: Aug. 23, 1978

LaRoy R. Roper, for 38 years a moving force in Cape Girardeau business and community affairs, leader of development of new St. Francis Medical Center and a builder of SEMO District Fair, died last night; Roper, 58, hadn't been well since last fall.

Cement shortage affecting St. Louis, southwest Missouri, portions of Midwest and other parts of nation is having no impact at present on this area, users here say; but situation is changing daily, and geographic distribution of problem which began last year on West Coast is spreading.

50 years ago: Aug. 23, 1953

The Rev. C.E. Fleshman concludes his ministry at Church of the Nazarene in Cape Girardeau; he has resigned to accept pastorate in Peoria, Ill.; Fleshman came to local church in fall of 1938 and served until 1943, when he accepted call to South Side Church of the Nazarene in St. Louis.

Paul Steffens, his wife and children are honored at farewell party in evening at Trinity Lutheran School auditorium; Steffens has been member of Trinity faculty for seven years, teaching sixth grade; he was also church organist and choir director.

75 years ago: Aug. 23, 1928

Cape Girardeau is to be decorated more gorgeously than ever before in history for dedication of traffic bridge across Mississippi River and state convention of American Legion, here next week; L.H. Laverty of St. Louis and his three assistants have contracted with local Chamber of Commerce to decorate principal streets, plaza at Frisco passenger station on riverfront and setting for pageant.

Privilege of being first to cross Mississippi River traffic bridge in automobile, flooring of which was completed yesterday, goes to bridge employees; Mr. and Mrs. William Buchanan and daughter, Virginia.

-- Sharon K. Sanders