Out of the past 3/8/03

10 years ago: March 8, 1993

Thebes, Ill. -- River near flood stage, strong currents and brisk winds are believed to have caused two barge accidents that closed Mississippi River channel for several hours both Saturday and Sunday; two towboats, each pushing more than 20 barges, struck Thebes railroad bridge in separate accidents, dislodging several barges and sinking two.

Scott City -- Citing lack of confidence and common philosophy between himself and members of board, Allan Maki resigns as executive director of Southeast Missouri Regional Port Authority; seven board members make no comment about his resignation, which is immediately accepted; Maki has served as director of port since August 1988.

25 years ago: March 8, 1978

Scott City -- Estimated 100 Kentucky coal miners joined striking Southeast Missouri farmers last night to shut down operations at Wetterau Foods, Inc., at Scott City; farmers took their demonstration to Scott City food distributor after court injunction earlier in day prohibited further interference at similar facility at Sikeston.

Tuesday's rain provided only small test of clean-out work on Cape LaCroix Creek, but tentative conclusions are that work performed helped move volume of water more quickly to Mississippi River; 1.61 inches of rain which fell didn't cause any significant backup in lower portion of creek.

50 years ago: March 8, 1953

Kelso. Mo. -- The Rev. Quentin V. Hahn celebrated his first Solemn Mass Tuesday morning at his boyhood parish, St. Augustine's Catholic Church; after Mass, Ladies' Sodality served dinner to 125 relatives of Hahn and visiting priests; Hahn is son of Mr. and Mrs. Edward S. Hahn.

Margaret E. Chow, missionary to British Guiana, is speaker at First Assembly of God Church in morning; Chow and her husband, only Assemblies of God missionaries in British Guiana, went there in 1946 and established church in city of Georgetown and six out-stations in surrounding area.

75 years ago: March 8, 1928

Rare runaway caused unusual stir and excitement on West Broadway yesterday afternoon; horse, hitched to open, topless buggy, appeared dashing wildly around curve on Broadway between Pacific and Harmony, carriage-robe falling out of one side and egg crate jolting along on otherwise empty seat; young man, unidentified hero of day, ran out from sidewalk, just before animal reached intersection of Broadway and Pacific, grabbed horse's bit and subdued her in front of Vandeven's store, where she was soon claimed.

Change in tax levy for operation of Cape Girardeau public schools won't be asked for coming year, it has been decided by school board; in making annual proposed budget, $214,360 was proposed as against a little more than $221,000 last year. -- Sharon K. Sanders