A LOOK AT THE PAST

25 years ago, 1975

Gov. Christopher S. Bond Wednesday appointed Jackson Republican, Chester A. McCain, as new coroner of Cape Girardeau County; he will fill two years remaining on term of George F. Rouse of Cape Girardeau, who resigned.

Fourth change order in building addition to Lenco, Inc., which is being financed through industrial bond revenue, was approved by City Council Monday; latest increase was for $3,676.30.

Two members of County Court have agreed to investigate possibility of letting voters decide controversial location of new county jail in attempt to settle nearly 3-year-old dispute and get construction of facility under way; Associate Judge Edwin W. Sander Thursday agreed to recommendation of Associate Judge J. Ronald Fischer that court consider possibility of "straw vote" on issue.

Rep. Marvin E. Proffer of Jackson has announced his intention to seek Democratic nomination for speaker of House of Representatives in 79th General Assembly which convenes in January 1977.

Faced with record number of prisoners over weekend, Sheriff Ivan E. McLain Friday resorted to housing county prisoners in tent in backyard of outdated jail facility in Jackson; tent was donated for use by Lt. Warren Rauh.

Request that County Court authorize installation of signs numbering all county roads within five-mile radius of Gordonville may result in signs identifying all 250 roads in county; County Court Monday was asked by volunteers of Gordonville Volunteer Fire Department to finance and install signs on all county roads within five miles of county to aid firefighters in locating fires; court, however, indicated it might be best to investigate possibility of labeling all roads.

50 years ago, 1950

Mr. and Mrs. Ed Neihoff have moved to Travelers Inn on Highway 61, where they have opened Travelers Inn Oil Co., and about July 1 will open restaurant; Mr. Neihoff was teacher of veterans' training program of high school for past two years.

City Council decided Monday to have survey done of entire water and light plant capacity and service area for city; S.J. Sibley & Associates of Springfield, will conduct survey at cost not to exceed $1,000; water and light department has in mind finding out four main points: Advisability of installing steam-generating equipment, increasing power diesel engine, entering contract with another supplier for furnishing current to city of Jackson distribution system, and to prepare rate survey for purpose of balancing more equally the present rate.

Tom Steinhoff of Cape Girardeau has opened wallpaper and paint shop in Wolters Building on West Main Street; rooms are now occupied by J.H. O'Conner, who is selling out his stock.

Reporting on population growth in district, Lloyd Poe, district census supervisor, Thursday said that Jackson gained 578 persons in preliminary 1950 census county, from 3,113 in 1940 to 3,691.

Large crowd attended concert of Municipal Band on courthouse lawn Thursday; band will continue playing weekly concerts through summer.

Jackson will soon have two self-service laundries; Lyman Steele now has his shop ready for business, and Arthur Evans has engaged workers for construction of commercial business place near his dwelling for one; third laundry operated by Shannon and Bessie Eulinberg has been in operation more than two years.

75 years ago, 1925

Fire, originating from defective flue in kitchen, destroyed farm home of Frank Beal, about two miles south of Oak Ridge, Thursday morning; when fire was discovered, it couldn't be checked, having gained too much headway; only a few of household goods were saved; smoke-house nearby was also destroyed.

More than 100 men, members of Bible class of McKendree M.E. Church, motored to St. Louis Sunday as sort of outing, which had been promised them if attendance reached 100 mark, which it did some time ago, and now 200 mark is set as goal; they were guided through city by motorcycle "cops" and ate lunch at Forest Park; address was given by C.M. Hay of St. Louis, who said that "ultimately not only the Methodists South of God and those North of God,' would unite, but all religious organizations in the country as well as in other countries would bring about brotherhood of man and the real peace on earth."

In point of service, Wilson Cramer is oldest attorney in Cape Girardeau County; Cramer, who is still in active practice, was admitted to bar in circuit court in Jackson on June 6, 1870.

Remonstrance, protesting use of streets for annual Homecomers celebration, has been filed with City Council, and was signed by many business men of community; American Legion is willing to go ahead with festival, provided it can gain wholehearted support of at least majority of business men in Jackson.

Vigorous campaign for $65,000 sewer bond issue has been launched by Jackson Chamber of Commerce; blueprints of proposed sewer can be examined at city clerk's office, and voters are urged to study plans before making up their minds.

Highway Engineer Charles Bollinger Wednesday started force of men working on job of grading and straightening road leading from Pocahontas to Highway No. 25, distance of about three miles; about $2,200 will be spent on that road this summer.