Out of the past 10/13/04

25 years ago: Oct. 13, 1979

Plans for a search effort to find a new permanent president for Southeast Missouri State University still appear stagnate, although it has been three months since Dr. Robert E. Leestamper stepped down from office.

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3838 commander James O. Johnson presents the second annual law enforcement of the year award to Cpl. Robert G. Little of the state highway patrol.

50 years ago: Oct. 13, 1954

A report by city health commissioner U.G. Pettigrew shows the sanitation rating of Cape Girardeau County dairy farms is slightly better, but the number of producers has greatly decreased since a milk sanitation survey was made in April 1952; Cape Girardeau city receives its milk from three local pasteurization plants, which are supplied by 85 farms, a decrease of 35 producing farms.

Advance contingents begin arriving for the 69th annual meeting of the Southeast Missouri Teachers Association, which more than 3,000 district school teachers are expected to attend Thursday and Friday.

75 years ago: Oct. 13, 1929

The Rev. Elbert Owen, new pastor of First Baptist Church, preaches his first sermon to the congregation in the morning; subject of the sermon is "The Vision That Sustains."

Forty-eight people are added to the membership of three Cape Girardeau churches; of this number, 26 are added to the membership of Red Star Baptist Church, 14 to Centenary Methodist Church and eight to First Baptist Church.

100 years ago: Oct. 13, 1904

Passengers aboard the steamer Stacker Lee witness a thrilling episode several miles above Cape Girardeau; a sudden stampede of 20 horses among sleepy stevedores ends with four horses falling into the river; five roustabouts jump into the stream with ropes, and the horses are pulled aboard with the help of hawsers and derricks.

The fair is doing big business, with wagon loads of people coming in to enjoy the big entertainment; the ladies of the Cemetery Improvement Association are serving hot soup and sandwiches, ice cream and coffee in floral hall.

-- Sharon K. Sanders