Out of the past 12/31/03

10 years ago: Dec. 31, 1993

With disaster after disaster hitting Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois, 1993 turned out to be record-breaking year for American Red Cross; locally, Red Cross flood relief efforts cost more than $1 million.

Faulty cable is blamed for early-morning power outage that affected Union Electric customers in parts of northern Cape Girardeau and in Egypt Mills area yesterday; temperatures were in low teens when electricity went off.

25 years ago: Dec. 31, 1978

The Rev. J. Stephen Bergmann was recently honored by his parishioners at Christ Episcopal Church on 10th anniversary of his ordination to priesthood; he has been rector of Christ Church since 1970.

Special New Year's Eve communion service is held at Trinity Lutheran Church; message is delivered by the Rev. Robert G. Bailey; liturgist and celebrant is the Rev. Paul H. Jilg, pastor.

50 years ago: Dec. 31, 1953

Construction activity in Cape Girardeau during 1953 passed million dollar mark for fifth consecutive year; in addition to construction shown in formal city permits, city also had almost a million dollars in school construction; cost of St. Mary's High School was $600,000, and new Central High School gymnasium unit, $225,727.

75 years ago: Dec. 31, 1928

Harrison Securities Co., acquires from Himmelberger-Harrison Lumber Co., nine-story Victoria office building in downtown St. Louis; consideration is $825,000.

Establishment of barge line on Mississippi River between Cape Girardeau and Memphis, Tenn., for transportation of cement is announced by Marquette Cement Mfg. Co.; during first 10 months operation, line is expected to transport 250,000 barrels of cement.-- Sharon K. Sanders