Out of the past 9/11/03

10 years ago: Sept. 11, 1993

Southeast Missouri farmers, who have already battled floods and drought this year, are now battling new enemy with discovery of aflatoxin in some newly harvested corn; many farmers are taking their corn crops to grain elevators, only to find that aflatoxin levels are too high, and it is rejected.

New Cape Girardeau Senior Center, which board member Floyd K. Wright describes as "our dream home," is dedicated at 921 N. Clark; Wright recalls how center was organized in 1974 and moved from four rented locations before building present structure.

25 years ago: Sept. 11, 1978

If allergy sufferers are having problem these days, reason isn't increased number of pollens and spores in air but most likely temperature inversion which has kept Southeast Missouri in blanket of haze for several days; one Cape Girardeau physician says allergy patients to his office have been increasing since temperature inversion began.

About 150 people attend meeting at Sunny Hill Motor Inn to collect signatures for petitioning circuit court to form West End levee district; organizers of Cape Flood Victims Association are very pleased with crowd; state law requires that majority of property owners representing at least 51 percent of acreage and lots in proposed district must sign petition.

50 years ago: Sept. 11, 1953

Gripped by unprecedented two-year drought and with no relief in sight at time when need for pasture purposes is most critical, Cape Girardeau County farmers count 1953 growing season as perhaps worst in their memory; County Agent A.D. Arnhart says it is almost too late to seed for fall pastures, which are desperately needed by dairy and beef cattle farmers.

Bus service between Illmo and Cape Girardeau will resume Monday morning along with service between Cape Girardeau and Poplar Bluff; B.H. Bremermann, owner of Missouri Motor Coaches, says he will operate three round trips daily except Sunday between Cape Girardeau and Illmo; there will be one round trip each day to Poplar Bluff.

75 years ago: Sept. 11, 1928

Cape Girardeau's traffic bridge across Mississippi River should be opened to traffic Thursday morning; although final work on Illinois approach to span hasn't been completed, it has progressed to such extent that span can be opened earlier than anticipated.

First traffic signal lights in Cape Girardeau are installed at intersection of Broadway and Sprigg street; lights are placed at direction of city officials as experiment before purchase of signals for number of other intersections; three colors show on lights: Red, blue and amber; red light denotes complete stop, blue indicates traffic may proceed, while amber is for caution.

-- Sharon K. Sanders