Out of the past 8/4/03

10 years ago: Aug. 4, 1993

The few voters who went to polls in Cape Girardeau yesterday overwhelmingly endorsed measure that will enable city to move from at-large to ward city council elections in April; voters also approved city's plan to annex Twin Lakes subdivision, situated off of Hopper Road, just west of Interstate 55.

John Mehner has been selected to lead Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce, members of selection committee have announced; he will take over Oct. 1, replacing Robert Hendrix, who announced his retirement earlier this year after serving 21 years as chief executive.

25 years ago: Aug. 4, 1978

Perryville, Mo. -- For first time in many years, traditional bingo game -- featuring quilts as prizes -- won't be played at this weekend's St. Mary's Seminary Picnic, sponsors of fund-raising event announce; although sponsors won't say Perry County Sheriff Gerald Pingle's effort to stop game was main reason behind decision, one does concede it was contributing factor.

Tuesday's 10th Congressional District primary features incumbent who is hardly running and five candidates who are ignoring each other to attack officeholder; incumbent is Democrat Bill D. Burlison; other candidates are Democrats W.F. "Pat" McKee Jr. and Roy Bean, and Republicans M. Francis Svendrowsky, James Weir, and Robert J. Van Regenmorter.

50 years ago: Aug. 4, 1953

A 60-day trial run of buses between Illmo-Fornfelt-Ancell and Cape Girardeau will be instituted soon, Chairman A.C. Brase of highway and transportation committee reported to board of directors of Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce yesterday; Cape Transit Co. will begin trial soon, although no starting date has been set; more than 400 signatures were received on petitions requesting restoration of bus transportation from Cape Girardeau to tri-cities area.

Heavy, wind-blown shower at 11:30 a.m. brings at least temporary relief from 12-day heat wave, dropping temperature 16 degrees from high of 93 when rain hit, to 77 afterward; it is first rain in 15 days.

75 years ago: Aug. 4, 1928

Leslie Ford, 6, son of H.H. Ford, 8a S. Spanish, drowns in Mississippi River at foot of Independence; boy accompanied by J.H. Freeze Jr., 5, had gone to river to sail toy boats; Ford falls between two boats tied to riverfront into eight feet of water; his body hasn't been recovered.

S.E. Brady, manager of New Broadway Theater, has completed deal whereby he will buy from numerous stockholders all preferred and common stock issued for construction of theater building and will become sole owner of property; John T. Sackman, who promoted and carried project to completion in 1921, handled deal.

-- Sharon K. Sanders