Out of the past 8/6/03

10 years ago: Aug. 6, 1993

While battle of 1993 flood continues, residents who lived through similar inundation two decades ago may argue they had worst end of bargain; it was in 1973 that Mississippi River was above flood stage from March 10 until June 15, reaching 44.9 feet on April 30; but in midst of that devastation -- over Memorial Day weekend -- skies dumped nearly 10 inches of rain on Cape Girardeau in single day.

Crest of 49 feet is predicted at Cape Girardeau tomorrow. River stage today is 47.2 feet, level that almost completely obscures mural on city's floodwall.

25 years ago: Aug. 6, 1978

Lighthouse Bible Baptist Church celebrates its fourth anniversary; pastor, the Rev. Jack Strickland, also observes his fourth anniversary as pastor of church.

John Lando, former owner of Lando Shoe Repair and native of Sicily, dies at his home at 903 S. Kingshighway at age 90; Lando was born John Galioto on June 7, 1888, in Artevela Melescia, Sicily, son of Joseph and Cecilia Mulay Galioto, and youngest of 14 children.

50 years ago: Aug. 6, 1953

Farmers and businessmen met on rolling slopes of Hope Bros. farm at Pocahontas, Mo., yesterday to match recollections of Soil Security Day five years ago and to see what progressive conservation practices can do for a farm; five years ago most of 300 people who gathered yesterday saw half-million dollars worth of farm machinery turn modern miracle of land remaking.

Portageville, Mo. -- Estimated 4,000 foreign laborers will be needed this fall in cotton harvest in Southeast Missouri, it is reported at meeting of labor committee of Missouri Cotton Producers Association; Hilton Bracey, executive vice president, says tentative certification has been given for that number of Mexican nationals to be imported for farm labor this fall.

75 years ago: Aug. 6, 1928

F.W. Keller, who has contract for paving four blocks of Morgan Oak street leading to traffic bridge, says he expects to have project completed in time for use at bridge dedication, Sept. 3; several Girardeans, who have visited street since construction started, have expressed fear that paving wouldn't be finished in time for use at formal opening.

Plan for insurance for members of Cape Girardeau fire and police departments, whereby each man will have policy for $1,000, is approved by city council; city will pay premiums on policies, which will be made payable to some member of family of policeman or fireman.

-- Sharon K. Sanders