Out of the past 5/25/03

10 years ago: May 25, 1993

If Cape Girardeau voters approve riverboat gambling June 8, city officials will have to decide best use of local revenue from riverboat proceeds; Councilman Al Spradling III, whose term expires in 1996, says two projects top his list: Resurrection or demolition of old St. Francis hospital building and Marquette Hotel.

Cape Girardeau's two hospitals vow to work together to improve health care services; at joint press conference at Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce office, officials of Southeast Missouri Hospital and St. Francis Medical Center announce that hospital boards of directors will "explore collaborative efforts"; they make it clear, however, they're not talking about a merger.

25 years ago: May 25, 1978

Marion, Ill. - Allen Barklage, 30, of St. Louis, former Vietnam combat pilot, wrestled gun from hijacker and shoots her to death while his helicopter reels out of control 600 feet above ground near U.S. penitentiary at Marion; woman had ordered him to land in exercise yard at prison, where she said they would be carrying off three convicts.

Developers charge that city engineering department has added to their cost of doing business, thereby contributing to increasing expense of housing in Cape Girardeau; city inspectors came under harshest criticism as developers and contractors met last night to discuss city's subdivision regulations with city council; regulations have been in effect just over two years.

50 years ago: May 25, 1953

Flash of flame envelopes Joe Emerson, 36, at his farm home mile east of Morley in morning, as he strikes match to light basement hot water heater; he is brought to Southeast Missouri Hospital with critical burns; his wife saves him from even worse burns by catching him as he flees outside and wraps him in rug to smother flames.

Cape Central Airways announces its airline operations have merged with Baca Airlines Inc. of Jefferson City and M.A.S. Airlines of Carbondale, Ill.; new 954-mile system will be known as Baca Airlines and will be 10th largest scheduled carrier of a local service nature in United States, in terms of route mileage.

75 years ago: May 25, 1928

Sophomore boys and girls capture first honors in Central High School track meet held in morning at Fairground Park as first part of Play Festival of Cape Girardeau public schools; sophomores roll up 69 points, while seniors are second with 53.

City Drug Store, at corner of Independence and Spanish streets, has been sold to L.H. Neal of Dexter, who will take charge of it tomorrow; J.N. Wolsey had operated store for 20 years; it was established more than 40 years ago; Neal plans to move his family to Cape Girardeau within next few days; he will remodel building that houses store, making it larger.

-- Sharon K. Sanders