Out of the past 9/17/03

10 years ago: Sept. 17, 1993

Doug Leslie, director of public works, will become Cape Girardeau's new assistant city manager, effective Oct. 1; in addition to his new duties, Leslie will retain his position as director of public works; he will fill position vacated by Al Stoverink, who last week accepted position as physical plant director at Southeast Missouri State University.

Jefferson City, Mo. -- Day after Gov. Mel Carnahan urged lawmakers to act quickly on flood recovery, House on Thursday gave initial approval to spending $16 million for state's share of fixing public property.

25 years ago: Sept. 17, 1978

Lowell E. McCoy is new pastor at New Testament Christian Church, 930 Mount Auburn Road; Ohio native attended Cincinnati Bible Seminary, where he graduated with bachelor of arts degree in 1951; he has served churches in Ohio, Kentucky and New Jersey.

Dr. Edward D. Campbell of Cape Girardeau has been elected president of Board of Directors of St. Francis Medical Center; he fills office recently vacated by death of LaRoy R. Roper, longtime president; Campbell was vice president of medical center and has served as president of its medical staff.

50 years ago: Sept. 17, 1953

Parade of grand champions, those animals chosen by expert judges as best in their show class, began yesterday at SEMO District Fair and continues today as advance guard of thousands who are expected to mark Cape Girardeau at fairgrounds.

Local Civil Defense facilities may be used for natural disasters, such as tornadoes and floods, as well as for war emergencies, federal Civil Defense official told Mayor Manning P. Greer last night; Ruth Kirk, assistant regional director of Federal Civil Defense Administration regional office at Denver, said that while state laws don't permit use of state Civil Defense funds for natural disasters, this doesn't prevent cities from using their own units and equipment if they please.

75 years ago: Sept. 17, 1928

With record exhibits of livestock and farm produce and with greatest racing card in history, annual Cape fair will formally open tomorrow at Fairground Park; with each department of fair enlarged, with more free attractions scheduled and with entertainment provided by numerous shows and rides, indications are that fair will prove most popular of any of expositions of past.

Lot and building at 227 Broadway, occupied by Broadway Garage, has been purchased by First Presbyterian Church; building now occupying site will be torn down, and church will build modern Sunday school building there; property adjoins on the east the Presbyterian church; architect for new building is Hal Lynch of St. Louis.

-- Sharon K. Sanders