A LOOK AT THE PAST

25 years ago, 1975

At request of affected landowners, County Court will ask Army Corps of Engineers to make feasibility study of measures that might correct flooding along approximate 15-mile stretch of Whitewater River from Burfordville to Diversion Channel; two landowners, John Lorberg and Gerald W. Neumeyer, along with Keith Little of Soil Conservation Service, made oral request to court Thursday.

Through letter of intent, George F. Rouse informed County Court Thursday that he would resign as county coroner effective June 1; Rouse, Republican, has held office since November 1972 election; with his sons, he operates Cape County Private Ambulance Service; while his letter gave no reason for his resignation, county officials said Rouse previously discussed difficulties with work load of other business commitments and duties of coroner's office.

Recommendations of Power and Light Committee to provide complete utilities for proposed shopping center on Highway 61 east were approved by City Council Monday; shopping center, which initially will contain two businesses Wal-Mart Discount Store and new Schwab's Big Star Market is to be built by Drury Development Corp. on tract which contains Kimbeland horse stables adjacent to highway to the south.

County Sanitarian Marvin Campbell has been instructed by County Court to contact State Milk Board to request permission to be allowed to continue to take samples of dairy products that are sold in Cape Girardeau County; action was prompted by board's decision last month not to renew its milk inspection contract with county because of closing last November of Sunny Hill Dairy Co.

Agreement which entitles county to payments of $10 for each home visit made by county public health nurse to patients of Southeast Missouri Regional Home Health Agency was entered Monday by County Court; County Health nurse Charlotte Craig and members of County Health Advisory Council appeared before court to explain expanded home health visit program and recommend that county enter into agreement with Regional Home Health Agency.

50 years ago, 1950

After lengthy business meeting of City Council Monday night, old council adjourned sine die and new council, took over; new board is: Mayor J.R. Mabrey; aldermen, J.A. Schaper, J.W. Schreiner, C.W. Knox, W. Shelby Brown, W.A. Kasten, T.B. Statler, L.A. Nowak and Adolph Borgfield.

Kathryn Kennedy, home agent, has moved from dwelling in West Jackson to apartment upstairs at home of Mr. and Mrs. E.F. Caldwell; apartment was vacated week ago by Hopson family.

Mrs. Bertha Best, 70, wife of William Best, died suddenly of heart attack May 3, whole on Main Street; she had left her home apparently to go to store about block away and was crossing street when stricken; she is survived by her husband, son, and five daughters.

Arrangements were completed this week for baccalaureate services of Jackson High School evening of May 21, the Rev. Morris O. Paul, pastor of McKendree Methodist Church, giving sermon, and on May 27 Dean Forrest H. Rose of State College will give commencement address; there are 92 members of senior class.

75 years ago, 1925

In some undetermined way, water pipes in courthouse have come in contact with electric wires somewhere in elaborate water and light system in building, and as result water has become charged with electricity; in one of was rooms in basement, current is particularly strong, but not strong enough to do any harm; it is amusing sight, however, when uninitiated touch faucet with one hand and come in contact with water with other and thereby close circuit; all kinds of acrobatic stunts result.

Bernice Wessell and Louise Ade, both of Jackson, have been appointed for another year to teach primary grades in Pocahontas public schools; principal hasn't yet been decided upon, but board is considering several applicants.

Lutheran congregations of Gordonville are making plans for public celebration of 100th birthday of Christian Stein, which will occur on May 21; celebration will be held that afternoon at Gordonville, and program is being prepared.

Luther Spradling, Bern Looney and Charles Macke are entitled to medal for catching largest lot of fish in one night this year; they returned Friday morning from Whitewater River with nice lot in which was catfish weighing 22 pounds or more.

Small but fully-equipped flour mill, erected in western part of Jackson about five years ago by John H. Brown, was sold under deed of trust Saturday, and was bid in by Kiesler Brothers of Perryville for sum of $1,652.45, amount due under deed of trust; purchasers will also have to pay delinquent taxes, both general and special.

At somewhat animated meeting of directors of Cape County Cooperative Shippers Association on Saturday, Adolph Kies was appointed manager of Jackson branch of association.

County surveyor is just finishing chart or map for War Department, preparation of which entailed good deal of engineering skill; chart shows topography of part of river bottom at point several miles north of Cape Girardeau; spot is where Cape Girardeau company intends to pump out sand and gravel.