Out of the past 7/29/04

10 years ago: July 29, 1994

Johnny McGaha has tapped into President Clinton's vision of domestic Peace Corps; McGaha, professor of criminal justice at Southeast Missouri State University, is spearheading effort to get national community service program established in region.

Bicentennial time capsule, slightly larger than bread basket, is placed in mausoleum vault in Memorial Park; capsule contains memorabilia of city's bicentennial; it will remain intact 50 years.

25 years ago: July 29, 1979

Bids for construction of Migrant Children Service Center will be received by Southeast Missouri State University at its purchasing office in Academic Hall Aug. 8; structure will contain about 7,784-square-feet and will house Migrant Center now located in dwelling at 354 N. Henderson; new structure will be built on North Sprigg Street.

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. - Man being held on capital murder charges escapes from Stoddard County jail for second time since his arrest on Dec. 20, 1978; escapee apparently crawls through hole in his cell into storage room and climbs to ground from second-story window.

50 years ago: July 29, 1954

Professional flagpole climber, J.P. Murphy, 66, of St. Louis, climbs atop pole in Courthouse Park in order to thread quarter-inch cable through pulleys so American flag can once again fly over park; previously, rope was used, but vandals with no respect for flag repeatedly used knife to cut it in two.

Tickets sold for District Fair already are double entire number of paid admissions of last year, it is announced at meeting of fair board; more than 42,000 of 10 percent booster tickets have been sold as compared with 21,000 admissions in 1953.

75 years ago: July 29, 1929

Relief from terrific heat wave which has gripped Cape Girardeau and Southeast Missouri for several days isn't in sight, as mercury mounts steadily, giving promise of attaining high mark for year set yesterday; temperature Sunday varied from 94 to 98, according to thermometer and where in Cape Girardeau it was located.

First hearing in condemnation suits brought by federal government to secure rights of way for setback levee in Mississippi and New Madrid counties will be held in federal court in Cape Girardeau on Sept. 9.

-- Sharon K. Sanders