Out of the past 8/31/03

10 years ago: Aug. 31, 1993

While Mississippi River at Cape Girardeau continues to fall, water keeps rising inside East Cape Girardeau-Clear Creek Levee District in Illinois; officials say rise will continue until river stage at Cape Girardeau falls below 30 to 32 feet; then surface water can drain into river again.

State Rep. Mary Kasten, who serves on joint subcommittee of legislative appropriations panels to assess flood damages and methods of paying state's share, says planning is difficult without knowing whether federal government will require matching funds for assistance; in some of recent natural disasters, federal government has waived its requirements for 25 percent match from state and local governments.

25 years ago: Aug. 31, 1978

More time; that's what Southeast Missouri State University Board of Regents opts for after hearing detailed, 16-page report on huge multipurpose facility -- more specifically, a dome concept -- delivered by athletic director Russ Sloan; after considerable discussion on report, regents vote to study matter further.

A 1966 Southeast Missouri State University graduate, who served two summers as visiting lecturer in College of Education, has returned to his alma mater on full-time basis as director of University Schools; Dr. John Koenig succeeds Dean Allison, who will teach this year in Department of Education at Southeast.

50 years ago: Aug. 31, 1953

Chaffee, Mo. -- Most residents of Chaffee went without water for most of weekend after city's 88-foot well went dry; service was restored by using three pumps on 2,100-foot well, and pressure is near normal today; this is first time in history the shallow well has failed, Chaffee residents say.

Golden Troopers of Cape Girardeau fail to place in first 11 top units in preliminaries of drum and bugle corps of American Legion National Convention at St. Louis; thus, Troopers are eliminated and won't be in finals this evening; Troopers will remain in St. Louis to participate in tomorrow's parade.

75 years ago: Aug. 31, 1928

Cape Girardeau is making final arrangements to entertain thousands of people who will come here Monday for formal dedication of Mississippi River traffic bridge and for two-day session of state convention of American Legion; in true hospitable spirit, Girardeans have prepared in advance to see that guests are well taken care of; housing facilities are being provided in hotels and private residences.

Cape Girardeau traffic bridge to be formally dedicated Monday will be open entire day to traffic without charge; however, it is announced that prior to 2 p.m. Monday, no eastbound traffic will be permitted; after that time, however, span will be thrown open to public.

-- Sharon K. Sanders