Out of the past 7/31/04

10 years ago: July 31, 1994

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. - Cape Girardeau's Ford & Sons American Legion baseball team leaves little doubt as to who is best District 14 squad; Cape Girardeau team stormed to regular-season district title, going 10-2 to earn top seed for District 14 Tournament.

Annual Southeast Missouri State University Alumni Night at Busch Stadium is scheduled for Aug. 13; however, that's the same day major league players have promised to take to picket lines.

25 years ago: July 31, 1979

Cape Girardeau County has joined federal Flood Insurance Program; after waiting several hours for arrival of final recommendations by attorney James F. Waltz, representing county planning and zoning commission, county court approved resolution; Presiding Judge Gene Huckstep pointed out court had no real choice in matter.

Elderly woman is severely injured in fire in Jackson, when her clothing catches fire as she attempts to battle blaze; Mrs. Blanche Eldridge suffers severe burns on her legs and one arm while fighting fire at 404 N. Neal St., where her daughter, Joan Malone, lives.

50 years ago: July 31, 1954

With close of State College's summer term fast approaching, college maintenance crews are preparing for massive overhaul of much of campus property; re-roofing of Leming and Albert halls porches already is underway, and rebuilding is planned for window wells around Leming Hall and retaining wall at west of building.

Fishing isn't so hot -- although weather is -- at VFW Cape Girardeau County Conservation Federation chapter fishing rodeo at Capaha Park Lagoon; scores of youngsters take part, but all but about a dozen fish elude the hook.

75 years ago: July 31, 1929

After Jake Friedich delivers mail on Route 2 tomorrow, he will step down and out as carrier on that route, on which he has been since its establishment 25 years ago.

Crew of about 20 men worked throughout Tuesday night pouring concrete for foundation walls for new building of Southeast Missouri Telephone Co., Broadway and North Ellis; continuous operation was ordered by contractor A.H. Gerhardt, in order that foundation might be poured as unit and prevent seams.

-- Sharon K. Sanders