A LOOK AT THE PAST

25 years ago, 1975

Inadequacy of school facilities, continued school drop out problem and need for improved school spirit have been cited in report as major areas of concern confronting Jackson R-2 High School; in report by North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools, independent evaluation recommended that these three areas, particularly building improvements, and six others be given attention.

Forty-one scholarship awards were given members of 1975 Jackson High School graduating class during commencement ceremony Friday night at high school stadium; Jean Nischwitz Stubbs, teacher at University of Missouri-Rolla and 1967 graduate of Jackson High, addressed 211-member graduating class; valedictorian was Steve Ford, and salutatorians were Mike Gregg and Karen Proctor.

Cape Girardeau's only home-owned bank, Farmers and Merchants, will take over county government bank deposits at beginning of fiscal year, July 1; bank submitted top interest bids to County Court Thursday to win two-year deposit contract.

Preliminary plans for $2 million municipal wastewater system which would serve all of existing Jackson and large area of proposed expansion was accepted Monday night by Jackson City Council following public hearing; council also received plans and specifications for city's proposed swimming pool, estimated to cost about $400,000, and tabled action on request of shopping center developer to finance full cost of installing water lines to site now under development.

Associate Judge J. Ronald Fischer Monday suggested that County Court meet with Jackson and Cape Girardeau city councils in attempt to negotiate settlement in prolonged county jail location dispute, but other two court members weren't receptive to idea.

50 years ago, 1950

Barn at rear of Mrs. E.J. Ladreiter's home has been turned into substation for storage of Rural Electrical Association; gasoline pump has been set for convenience of company in supplying food.

In school election Monday in Plainview district, east of Jackson, residents voted $2.75 school levy for 1950-51 for each $100 assessed valuation; there were only two votes against proposal; school transports both grade and high school pupils to Jackson; this is highest tax levy of any school district in county.

New, large knitting machine has been installed and second machine is nearly completed at Jackson Hosiery Mill; workers from Chester, Ill., have been making installation; new equipment, bought in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, will greatly increase factory's output.

Senior class left Thursday morning on annual pilgrimage, going to Florida and New Orleans; class's first stop will be in Kentucky.

Eighth floodlight to illuminate courthouse was set in place Friday by Jackson Electric Co., and lighting of courthouse is almost complete; there are four small spotlights on top, illuminating dome, and two on each side have been burning for two nights; giant floodlight for back entrance is the one which hasn't arrived yet.

75 years ago, 1925

Mayor James A. Bowman Friday issued proclamation calling upon business men of city to close their places during afternoon on Memorial Day; banks will be closed all day, and post office force will observe regular holiday hours.

More than 50 voters gathered at circuit court auditorium Friday night for purpose of launching campaign for $65,000 bond issue for sewers; plans and blueprints for proposed system were examined by all interested, and then assembly pledged its support to proposition, agreeing to work for success of it in election to be called in near future.

Favored by splendid weather, dedicatory ceremonies over World War soldiers' memorial on front lawn of courthouse took place Saturday afternoon; addresses by Prof. R.S. Douglass and Rep. Ralph Bailey were good and well received; music was provided by Dr. C.E. Schuchert's band; most beautiful part of ceremony was presentation of splendid wreaths by Mrs. Frank Fenwick of Perryville, state treasurer of Auxiliary of American Legion.

Small rain visited Jackson and environs Sunday afternoon; during rain, tornado-like storm struck section about mile west of Jackson; in very short time, large barn on Washington Gladish farm was wrecked, eight telephone poles bearing many wires were laid across Highway No. 9 in a row, and many trees were either broken off or lost limbs.

E.S. Miller of Whitewater Township was in Jackson Monday carrying his right arm in sling, result of argument with a Henry Ford.

County Court Monday again refused to appropriate money for support of farm extension work, despite petitions bearing 1,000 signatures of taxpayers of county requesting that such aid be given.

Commissioners of Byrd Township Special Road District have ordered number of dangerous curves in roads in township eliminated this summer; increase in traffic demands and justifies such action.