Out of the past: July 28

1993

Local government and Corps of Engineers officials say they are spending a considerable amount of time responding to rumors of impending levee failures and other Mississippi River flood-related problems; despite almost daily assurances that the Little River Drainage District's Diversion Channel levee is in good shape, officials say they continue to get inquiries from residents living south of the drainage district; residents are concerned about rumors of an imminent failure of the levee.

JEFFERSON CITY -- Cape Girardeau's Board of Education found something familiar at its retreat in Jefferson City Tuesday: Flooding; floodwaters from the rising Missouri River literally lapped at the doors of Capital Plaza Hotel where the board met, just blocks from the State Capitol.

1968

St. Mary's Cathedral is preparing to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the church, with a big celebration planned for Aug. 4; among preparations for the event, much work and remodeling is being done in the church; the altars, pews, woodwork and paneling were recently installed in the sanctuary in walnut finish; marble siding is being put in place and the carpeting of the sanctuary and body of the cathedral will complete the renovation; the main altar has also been arranged so that the priest will be facing the congregation while celebrating Mass.

Old Trinity Methodist Church, located west of Jackson, is rededicated in the morning; land for the church was donated in 1855 by David Smith, and the church was constructed shortly thereafter; services haven't been held there for several years, but the church has been restored to its original condition.

1943

Their Harris Field trainer plane crashing in a field a mile west of Chaffee, Missouri, and instructor, Paul T. Roberts, 31, of Bad Axe, Michigan, and an aviation cadet, James J. Morris, 20, of Bowling Green, Kentucky, were killed yesterday afternoon; the cause of the accident is unknown.

In a community program at Houck Field Stadium in the evening, with the stadium nearly filled, a Cape Girardeau welcome is extended the 335 V-12 Naval Training Unit enrollees of State College; reciprocating, the trainees give a representative exhibition of military drill and a calisthenics routine, well done in view of their 28-day training period.

1918

Two Cape Girardeau ministers preach their last sermons before leaving for their sumer vacations; the Rev. J.J. Clopton of Christ Episcopal Church will leave Monday for a vacation in Virginia, while the Rev. Thomas Bateman of the First Presbyterian Church will depart Monday for North Carolina.

Policeman Charles Stone chases five young people, three girls and two boys, from Courthouse Park in the afternoon, when he catches them conducting themselves in a very ungentlemanly and unladylike manner; the police have been given orders by Mayor H.H. Haas to preserve the best order in the park.

-- Sharon K. Sanders