Out of the past 2/22/03

10 years ago: Feb. 22, 1993

Most businesses view Cape Girardeau as good place to do business; that is one of positive points revealed in most recent Cape Girardeau Business-Needs Survey conducted by Business, Industry and Jobs Committee of Vision 2000; according to Pauline Fox, member of Vision 2000 committee that compiled survey, it showed only two negatively related areas: Rail service and air passenger service.

Southeast Missouri State University Indians defeat Austin Peay Governors on Show Me Center hardwood, 77-64; win is Coach Ron Shumate's 400th career victory.

25 years ago: Feb. 22, 1978

Dongola, Ill. -- Major train derailment which spills caustic chemical in downtown business area halts much of activity in this small town while cleanup operations begin; about 31 cars of 82-car southbound Illinois Central Gulf Railroad train derails at about 6:45 a.m.; although no one is injured by crash, considerable property damage is done.

Citing the good earth as common ground, American Agriculture Strike Movement is joining with striking United Mine Workers; AASM office at Campbell has coordinated what is turning out to be nationwide show of support for some 10,000 striking miners in Madisonville, Ky., area.

50 years ago: Feb. 22, 1953

Largest ship ever to use Mississippi River -- the Marine Angel which formerly was Navy cargo vessel -- is en route up river and should pass Cape Girardeau Monday or Tuesday; being towed by the Tunis, Marine Angel measures 634 feet 3 inches in length, 71 feet 6 inches in width and stands 53 feet 6 inches in height; vessel will be used as ore carrier on Great Lakes.

Committee workers of St. Mary's and St. Vincent's parishes, nearly 500 strong, gather in afternoon at St. Mary's Catholic Church to formally open campaign for new Cape Girardeau Catholic high school.

75 years ago: Feb. 22, 1928

Charter of Cape Girardeau Land & Security Co. is filed for record with county recorder at Jackson; company, which is capitalized at $50,000, was organized for purpose of buying farm lands which had been acquired by First National Bank last several years; bank has sold to company all of its real estate holdings except its banking house.

The Stylerite, new ladies ready-to-wear store at 31 N. Main St., will have its grand opening Friday and Saturday; building, which is two stories high, is of red brick; show windows have base of black marble and color scheme of black and gold predominates in their decoration.

-- Sharon K. Sanders