A LOOK AT THE PAST

25 years ago, 1975

Jackson R-2 High School offers broad curriculum containing 22 more units of study than average North Central Association school, but there is lack of course work suitable for non-college bound youth; these are two points made in North Central evaluation report on high school curriculum which was presented to Board of Education Tuesday night.

Aware of forthcoming required participation in federal flood insurance program, members of County Court met Thursday with flood insurance specialist to discuss possibility of county becoming involved in program before it eventually is forced upon it; Gary E. McClure of Department of Housing and Urban Development's Kansas City regional office, outlined requirements for participation in program and explained its benefits.

Attempt by county jail prisoner to saw his way out of his cell also occupied by two other men was discovered Thursday by sheriff's officers; acting on tip, deputies found two hacksaw blades during search for cell; one bar of cell had been sawed through, while about two-thirds of another bar had been sawed near bottom of cell.

Grace Vinyard Kies of Jackson was honored Sunday for her many years as organist of First Baptist Church at afternoon reception at church; Kies started playing hymns for church services at age of 9, when organist, Mrs. J.H. Frances, wished to sing.

State Milk Board has decided not to renew its milk inspection contract with Cape Girardeau County and as result, consumer won't be assured adequate protection against contaminated dairy products which has been afforded in past, says County Sanitarian Marvin Campbell; as sanitarian, Campbell is under contract to provide farm and dairy inspections and samplings at cost of $7,200 annually, money which goes into county revenue; on April 18, however, board informed Campbell that it didn't intend to renew contract July 1, because of closing of Sunny Hill Dairy Co. last November; instead, board intends to contract with St. Louis Health Department, which means inspections will be done by St. Louis Sanitarian Vernon Nickel.

Because it's located in economically-growing region, Riverside Regional Library's tax rate of 10 cents per $100 assessed valuation has remained unchanged since it was formed 20 years ago, its director, Earl H. Oldham, told County Court Monday; while most libraries are raising tax rates from 25 to 30 cents, Riverside continues to expand its services on original 10-cent levy voted by residents of Cape Girardeau, Perry and Scott counties in 1955.

50 years ago, 1950

Filing on Republican ticket on Saturday subject to August primary were two candidates, Frank A. Lowery for representative and Robert W. Kirkpatrick of Cape Girardeau for clerk of Common Pleas Court; party now has two candidates for House of Representatives, Robert G. Brady, also of Cape Girardeau, having filed previously; also, there are two candidates for another post, county collector, Ted R. Regenhardt, who is asking for his second term, and Oscar Smude of Cape Girardeau.

Roberts School closed Friday, and Saturday Mrs. G.C. Fulbright, teacher, entertained pupils at matinee at Palace Theater; graduates of school are Jeanette Schuette and John Slinkard; Fulbright plans to attend summer school and has signed her contract for next year.

Mrs. Raymond Godwin, teacher at Pocahontas, took her 21 pupils on Saturday to Scivally Park for outing and returned to Jackson for matinee at theater; graduates this year are Marjorie Lichtenegger, Margery Petzoldt, Catheryn Mirly and Katheryn Swan.

Mrs. V.L. Howard closed Williams Creek School at noon Wednesday, sessions having been carried over this week to make up for some days lost during ice storm; Howard isn't applicant to teach next year, as Howards have purchased a farm; no teacher has been named for school, but number of applications are on file; district voted at recent special meeting on annexation to Jackson school district, but it failed to carry.

Cape Girardeau County has five AAA, two AA, 53 A, and one unclassified schools; five classified schools of highest rank are Fruitland, Randles, Daisy, Pocahontas and Campster; those of AA standard are Egypt Mills and Kage; classification is based on upkeep of building, status of library, and teachers with proper certification.

Corporal Tommy Loos of Tacoma, Wash., is home on furlough with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Loos; he will remain until May 22, when he reports for assignment in either Japan or Alaska.

Joe Litzelfelner, fireman first class aboard U.S.S. Yellowstone in port at Newport News, R.I., is in Jackson to spend his leave with his mother, Mrs. O.C. Litzelfelner.

75 years ago, 1925

New municipal water and light plant went into operation Thursday morning; under supervision of engineers D.W. Stoddard and G.A. Lyons of Fairbanks corporation, superintendent F.C. Schnarre and his assistants, new plant is functioning perfectly.

At short session of County Court Wednesday, final order definitely establishing County Drainage District No. 1, near Hickory Ridge in Welch Township, was made; viewers to assess damages and benefits and drainage engineer were appointed; levy of 40 cents per acre for operation and organization expenses was made; viewers are J.V. VanGundy, W.T. Dickey and Charles Bess, and Clinton Kimball is engineer.

Body of Gale Craft, 22-year-old Neelys Landing youth, who was drowned last Monday when he fell from U.S. towboat Tuscumbia into Mississippi River near Ste. Genevieve, Monday was taken from water within three miles of his home; body was found near Vancil's Landing.

Deal, whereby J. Guy Deck comes into possession of City Lunch Room and restaurant on High Street, and Schoen Brothers acquire in exchange Deck's dwelling house in East Jackson, was consummated Saturday.

City was full of visitors Saturday, hundreds attending annual Farm Bureau meeting and picnic; streets were decorated, there was band music, and weather was ideal.

Grand jury to investigate law violations in Cape Girardeau County and to examine condition of county offices and buildings will be convened in circuit court at Jackson within short time; Prosecuting Attorney Frank Hines, who asked for grand jury, indicated there is no special investigation contemplated, but that law requires that grand jury be called once each year.

Agitation for beginning of installing of sewer system is becoming stronger all the time; proposition has been before people for years, but there was diversity of opinion regarding way to go at it; all kinds of proposals were made, but it seems that entire scheme has resolved back to original, a general bond issue for entire city; street paving is being held up by delay in building sewers, as it would be folly to pave streets and then tear them up again to lay sewers.

H.H. Mueller Tuesday purchased Ed Seabaugh property on gravel road leading to Cape Girardeau; on same day, Mrs. Hy F. Roloff and her husband sold their 170-acre farm southwest of Jackson to her father, August Peetz; consideration in last deal was $4,000.