Out of the past 8/26/04

10 years ago: Aug. 26, 1994

Construction explosion has created problems for producers of number of building supplies and building industry in general; building contractors have been plagued by lumber shortages past two years, and entire construction industry faces backlog on such items as cement, glass, bricks and steel.

STE. GENEVIEVE, Mo. -- Historic Ste. Genevieve, too small to raise cash for levee to protect it from future rampages of Mississippi River, is finally getting a break; federal government is providing $35 million of needed $40 million for levee; state will provide $3.5 million, and town will only have to raise remaining $1.5 million through taxes or bond issue.

25 years ago: Aug. 26, 1979

The Rev. Edward W. Hammer, assistant to president of Illinois Synod of Lutheran Church in America, delivers message at morning service of St. Mark Lutheran Church; Hammer's presence also marks occasion of the Rev. Richard W. Johnson's official installation as past of St. Mark's congregation.

McCLURE, Ill. -- Paducah, Ky., man allegedly stops his car in middle of Highway 3 here and begins shooting at traffic with revolver in afternoon; he is arrested at scene by state troopers with help of McClure garage worker.

50 years ago: Aug. 26, 1954

Martha Shea, one of faculty members who nurtured growth of Normal School into State College, dies at Mother of Good Counsel Home in St. Louis; Shea, 88, retired from college faculty in 1941; she suffered heat prostration in July and failed to rally.

Palomino-colored squirrel, very unusual in squirrel family, is killed by Simon Kern of New Hamburg in New Hamburg hills; it was yellowish golden color, with under portions of body and legs white.

75 years ago: Aug. 26, 1929

Missouri retail merchants, more than 150 of them, representing leading cities of state, are in Cape Girardeau for three-day convention at Hotel Marquette.

C.P. Morgan, special representative of Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co., says while in Cape Girardeau that company will open its new store at 420 Broadway next Saturday; workers are completing redecorating of interior and installing modern equipment.

-- Sharon K. Sanders