a look back

25 years ago: 1973

Jackson R-2 District schools at Gordonville and Pocahontas -- both with relatively low enrollments -- are by far most expensive of district's 10 schools to operate, comparison of pupil costs per school prepared by Dr. Frank E. Wiley, superintendent, reveals; study, prepared at request of Board of Education, shows average cost per pupil at Gordonville is $793.91 and at Pocahontas, $745,90.

There are strong indications that majority of County Court judges will reject city of Jackson's offer to trade, with county, property on which to build proposed law enforcement complex, but instead, authorize its construction on 23-acre tract of County Farm property in Cape Girardeau.

Almost certain forthcoming decision of County Court to authorize construction of proposed county law enforcement complex at Cape Girardeau, instead of here in county seat, has blessings of Missouri Atty. Gen. John C. Danforth; in opinion issued April 1, 1971, Danforth says because county has two courthouses -- the one here and Common Pleas at Cape Girardeau -- jail can be erected anywhere within county.

Agreement between city of Jackson and R.F. Goodson providing right-of-way acquisition and other provisions for proposed relocation of dangerous Old Cape Road intersection at Highway 61 East was adopted by City Council Monday; agreement provides that city pay $7,500 to Jackson Building and Development Corp., firm of Goodson's, for right of way necessary to relocate intersection; work will involve straightening of Old Cape Road to north and constructing extension of Shawnee Acres, providing four-way intersection at Highway 61.

Two associate judges of County Court and Missourian reporter were briskly scolded during court session Monday by Jackson businessman who expressed strong opposition to possibility of proposed county law enforcement complex being built on County Farm in Cape Girardeau; Gene C. Cracraft, president of Cracraft-Miller Funeral Home and Furniture Store, accused Associate Judge J. Ronald Fischer of Cape Girardeau of declaring favoritism for County Farm site because it would place facility in Cape Girardeau and Associate Judge Edwin W. Sander of Jackson of failing to adequately voice his opposition to farm site.

50 years ago: 1948

In two collections by Marshal Ernest Loos, parking meeters have brought to city $185; meters went into effect Nov. 2.

More than 400 farmers from Cape Girardeau County and adjoining counties attended District Swine Improvement day at Jackson Grade School building on Wednesday; morning session was held in high school stadium, where A.R. Arnhardt, county agent, briefly discussed purpose of Swine Improvement Day; E.S. Matteson, extension animal husbandman from University of Missouri, conducted discussion on selection of breeding stock.

Ted R. Regenhardt, county collector, reported Friday that first four days of tax collections amounted to $33,289.41; keeping up present pace, much of $600,000 to be collected will be received early, taxpayers not waiting until last few weeks of December to make payments.

Workers at Jackson Exchange Bank Building are completing installation of five-ton vault door shipped here from Hamilton, Ohio., and unloaded from unusually large truck; installation will be done by Bank Builders & Equipment Corp.

By new arrangement of City Council, since resignation of Ernest Loos, special deputy to take charge of parking meter collection, city marshals and Walter E. Kasten, commissioner of streets, will make collections.

Charles G. Macke, postmaster, has been notified that effective Dec. 1, added postal delivery service for Jackson will begin; Robert Kibler Jr. has been named third regular carrier to relieve J.R. Kibler and Estes F. Caldwell of portion of their routes; each carrier at present covers approximately 20 miles; new carrier will also supply delivery service to new areas, Knox Addition and larger part of East Jackson.

75 years ago: 1923

Man named Hahn from Bollinger County was in Jackson recently and looked over machinery in J.W. Brown flour mill on West Main with view of purchasing equipment and moving it to his plant on Upper Whitewater; mill, built by Brown, experienced millwright, has been standing idle for several years.

Hinkle Wilson and family have moved into their new bungalow on North First East Street, and Eldon Roberts has moved into house on Greens Ferry Road vacated by Wilsons.

Paul Poe, who was injured three weeks ago in game of football, has been improving for three days and will recover.

Laura S. Ware, 76, died Nov. 16 at home of her daughter, Mrs. G.M. Short, after brief illness caused by paralytic stroke; she was born in this county Feb. 13, 1847, daughter of Elam and Margaret Alexander, Scotch-Irish pioneers who helped make this county what it is; on Dec. 20, 1866, she married Meletus B. Ware, who died March 19, 1877, leaving her to rear their five small children on farm north of Jackson on Fruitland Road; two children and one sister survive.

Cornerstone was laid Monday for new Masonic building, corner of South High and First South streets, impressive ceremony being attended by many members of nearby lodges; receptacle containing many relic and mementos of day was placed in cornerstone; brick work on new structure is well under way and will be pushed vigorously so long as weather permits; building is on same site as Masonic lodge that was destroyed in cyclone on March 11.

Kerstner Drug Store was burglarized Tuesday night, and cash register rifled and some cigarettes taken; cash amounted to $7.50; burglar entered store using front door key he stole earlier from drawer in rear of store; Wednesday morning keys were mysteriously found in their usual place.