A LOOK AT THE PAST

25 years ago, 1975

Dr. Charles M. Luetje of Jackson has been promoted in rank from major to lieutenant colonel in Air Force at Keesler Air Force Base, Biloxi, Miss.; Luetje is son of Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence L. Luetje of Jackson, and his wife is former Sandra McCrea of Dexter.

Cape Girardeau County Court Thursday agreed to follow Southeast Missouri Regional Planning Commission to prepare long-range preliminary plan for future development of park facilities on County Farm near Interstate 66-Highway 61 interchange; A.C. Brase and Otto Fluegge appeared before court to ask authorization to pursue planning of 10-acre fishing lake in low-lying area of farm property south of Highway 61 and east of Memorial Park.

Traffic volume counts will be made by Missouri Highway Department on all state highways and number of city streets in Jackson beginning Tuesday; counts, which will take about four weeks to complete, will be taken on sampling basis with "representative number" of streets included; counts will determine traffic patterns and volumes on most heavily-traveled routes in Jackson.

Addressing annual Jackson Chamber of Commerce installation banquet, Missouri Attorney General John C. Danforth Monday said Americans should look to themselves rather than massive federal government for answers to nation's economic woes; installed as chamber officers for 1975 were Jack M. Litzelfelner, president; David Moll, vice president, and Karen Mirly, secretary.

Newly-appointed Cape County Sheltered Workshop Board of Directors has chosen to set tax levy for establishment and maintenance of sheltered workshop and residential facility for adult handicapped at maximum 10 cents per $100 assessed valuation; Robert Landgraf, chairman of board, told County Court Monday board intends first to build new workshop to replace operation at 535 Good Hope in Cape Girardeau.

50 years ago, 1950

Workers have repaired damage lightning caused at home of Mrs. H. Heinberg in Wednesday's storm; striking flue, bolt damaged upper portion, and knocked out electric and telephone service.

City Council Monday night spent evening discussing future of city, with smaller things that needed attention, one being dumping ground, being stressed; this problem has always been pressing one, and present dump on Greensferry Road is being will filled.

Wednesday morning, city grader was taken to city park to prepare ball diamond for softball games to be played this morning; Tom O'Loughlin, Walter Kasten and Herbert Rauh worked under supervision of Bill Wilkening; managers for church teams are Marvin Niswonger, Baptist; Sonny Werner, Lutheran; Cleo Mills Jr., Catholic; Sonny Gilbert, Methodist, and J.H. Grossman, combined team of Presbyterian and Evangelical.

Little damage was done in early morning fire Wednesday at Ceramo Pottery plant on Highway 25; soot accumulating in pipes from oil-burning furnace became ignited, and all flames were confined to pipes, some of which melted and several will need to be replaced; fire department was called and stood by for considerable time.

Plat of Maplewood Heights, new subdivision belonging to Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Bodenstein and Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Bodenstein Jr., was filed Thursday; subdivision, taken from Strong heirs acreage on Farmington Road, is divided into three blocks; there are three streets laid out, Cecile Drive, Dorothy and Alvin streets.

Under leadership of Mayor E.H. "Bud" Rueseler of Old Appleton, campaign is being waged to raise funds to assist Amos Reid, 11, who is in Cape Girardeau hospital with fractured skull sustained last week when struck by flying baseball bat; he is son of Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Reid.

75 years ago, 1925

Since city's water supply has become more or less contaminated by several different occurrences, attention of public has again been turned to fine artesian well only short distance south of city on Brugger farm; this well, accidentally discovered by parties drilling for oil, emits thousands of gallons of purest kind of water each hour; it has been suggested that this well, with proper and further drilling, could be used to furnish city's water with little expense.

The Rev. E.J. Weller of Steele has accepted call as pastor of Baptist Church and moved his household goods to parsonage Tuesday; his family will arrive next week; Weller has qualifications of strong preacher, and is expected to do much beneficial work in city.

As election for $65,000 sewer bond issue draws near, there are representatives of bond houses in town looking over field with view of purchasing bonds, should issue be authorized by voters next Tuesday; from what these agents say, money seems to be plentiful, and bidding for these bonds will be spirited.

So far there are no plans for any public celebration of Fourth of July in Jackson; of course, youngsters will make merry with usual pyrotechnics.

A.L. Bullock of Arkansas County has been in town for several days; he is new owner of Hotel Jackson, which he recently purchased from W.O. Stacy and John P. Mabrey.