Out of the past 2/8/04

10 years ago: Feb. 8, 1994

Scott City Council approved measure last night which will allow voters to decide whether or not they want riverboat gaming in city; vote is slated for April 5, same day Missourians ballot will on revised constitutional amendment that would allow riverboat gambling.

John Ashcroft was in Cape Girardeau Monday to announce he wants to return to public life as a U.S. senator.

25 years ago: Feb. 8, 1979

Veteran teacher who strove to bring quality education to rural Bootheel in early part of century and woman who later became leader in promoting needs of aging and necessity for better housing, Mrs. Myrtle Bronson Sheppard, dies at age 87.

Ice-covered pavement on Highway 61 between Jackson and Cape Girardeau causes five-hour traffic jam that stretches three or four miles; steep hills at Wal-Mart and at Kohlfeld Distributing Inc. are main obstacles as cars stopped on upward grade aren't able to get enough traction to move forward.

50 years ago: Feb. 8, 1954

KENNETT, Mo. - About 4,000 jobless farm workers, made destitute by drought and other conditions, register to receive food and clothing under emergency relief program organized by Dunklin County Red Cross.

CHAFFEE, Mo. - Mrs. Mamie Amick Bisplinghoff, 64, first licensed embalmer in Chaffee and for many years associated with her husband, Lon, in operating Bisplinghoff Funeral Home, died yesterday in Tampa, Fla., while visiting his sister, Mrs. Vila Sewell.

75 years ago: Feb. 8, 1929

Snow, which started falling last night and continues at intervals today, blankets sections of district; temperature is above freezing mark, however, and snow remains in only scattered areas.

CHAFFEE, Mo. - Residents here hope to complete drive by end of week for $15,000 of preferred stock in Crown Manufacturing Co., which proposes to establish new factory here.

-- Sharon K. Sanders