Out of the past 7/9/03

10 years ago: July 9, 1993

Raging Mississippi River is headed for historic proportions; for eighth time in past two weeks, National Weather Service has upped its flood forecasts, following torrential rains in Central Missouri; latest forecasts for crest at Cape Girardeau is 47-foot reading Thursday; that would be highest crest recorded in almost 150 years of record-keeping; record is 45.6-foot reading on May 1, 1973.

After fighting rising river for more than day, James and Donna Kendrick decided it was losing battle; yesterday morning, flood water visibly rising in their home on Highway 177 just north of Cape Girardeau, couple decided to leave.

25 years ago: July 9, 1978

The Rev. Ronald R. Feuerhahn, son of Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Feuerhahn of Cape Girardeau, delivers sermons at worship services of Trinity Lutheran Church; since September 1977, Feuerhahn has served as preceptor at Westfield House in Cambridge, England; this is theological training school for Evangelical Lutheran Church of England.

James B. Hunt, whose career first as FBI agent and then probate judge spanned 32 years here, dies at Cape LaCroix Manor at age 74; as FBI agent, Hunt came to Cape Girardeau in 1942, remaining until his retirement in 1962; he was then elected probate judge, serving until 1974.

50 years ago: July 9, 1953

Charles A. Schweer, two-term city commissioner and for 15 years police officer in Cape Girardeau, dies in his sleep at family home, 107 S. Lorimier; he would have been 72 years old on July 28; Schweer was first elected city commissioner in 1944 and re-elected in 1948; during entire period he served as commissioner of parks and head of finance department; he is survived by his wife, May Keeling Schweer, two sons and two daughters, and two sisters.

Abundant supply of cottonwood timber in Cape Girardeau area and city's proximity to St. Louis market are major factors involved in tentative decision of Flour City Wooden Box Corp. to construct manufacturing plant here; company is negotiating purchase of plot next to Frisco Railroad tracks and north of Redwine Oil Co. headquarters on which to build 24,000-square-foot factory.

75 years ago: July 9, 1928

Judge Charles Gerharter, 69, dies at his farm home near Shawneetown, Mo.; he was born in Styria, Austria, April 2, 1859, and came to this country when he was about 10 years old with his parents, settling on farm where remained until his death; Gerharter was elected associate justice of county court in 1902 and was again elected in 1906.

Most of work of plastering in new Marquette Hotel has been completed and interior of big building is being decorated; window panes are being put in place, and two elevators have been installed; roof garden was completed several days ago.

-- Sharon K. Sanders