10 years ago: Oct. 27, 1992

Four months of meetings bore fruit Monday as representatives of five entities approved set of bylaws for joint industrial development organization; organization will be established as not-for-profit corporation and is cooperative venture of cities of Cape Girardeau, Jackson, and Scott City, Cape Girardeau County and Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce; it will be known as Cape Girardeau Area Industrial Recruitment Association.

Presidential race this year offers voters distinct choice between bigger government and higher taxes, or restrained government and lower taxes, say Gov. John Ashcroft and U.S. Sen. Jack Danforth; at one in series of new conferences around state in support of President Bush; two Republican officeholders maintain that Bush is by far best person to bring about economic recovery.

25 years ago: Oct. 27, 1977

City has no objection to formalized affirmative action program but won't accept statement establishing quotas for hiring minorities or women, City Manager W.G. Lawley tells advisory committee formulating such program; in amiable meeting work of committee over past two moths is discussed with city manager.

Community support continues to grow for preservation of old St. Vincent's Catholic Church on South Main street; most recent letter of support to The Missourian and Bishop Bernard F. Law is from Rose Hills Garden Club

50 years ago: Oct. 27, 1952

Contract providing 4 percent increase in gross pay and other benefits for International Shoe Co. employees in Cape Girardeau must be approved by union membership before it goes into effect, says Ellis Baker, national representative of Local 125A, United States Shoe Workers of America; both A.F.L. and C.I.O. unions have accepted terms of agreement, but C.I.O. procedure requires that 12,000 members in 30 International plants vote on proposed contract.

Alligator was observed yesterday afternoon on sandbar in Mississippi River near traffic bridge, evidently one which had made its way up river from its more natural habitat or one that had escaped locally; alligator was 4 or 5 feet in length and was sprawled out, its feet protruding and its mouth open.

75 years ago: Oct. 27, 1927

Doniphan - Virtually two blocks in Doniphan are destroyed by fire of undetermined origin early in morning with loss of about $125,000; 10 buildings are destroyed, all of which are brick structures in business section of town.

Optimistic reports from 14 teams, composed of business and professional men, conducting drive for $60,000 to guarantee right of way for Missouri Pacific Railroad from Thebes Bridge to Cape Girardeau, are submitted at luncheon at Idan-Hal Hotel; it is reported $9,900 has been raised so far.

- Sharon K. Sanders