A LOOK BACK AT JACKSON

25 years ago: 1973

Fire of uncertain origin swept through house here early Saturday claiming life of Jackson barber Milford W. Meyer; Meyer, 62, died of smoke inhalation apparently while attempting to make his way out of house in which he lived alone and operated one-chair barber shop at 302 East Washington.

School buses loaded to capacity with 66 children and weighing nearly 11 tons are being driven daily across Cape Girardeau County bridges with six-ton limits, and Jackson R-2 Board of Education is worried about situation; Board President Cecil J. Unger, accompanied by Supt. Frank A. Wiley and board members, brought County Court's attention Monday to dangerous condition that exists because of seven six-ton load limit bridges; Unger requested that court authorize that bridges be strengthened to accommodate heavier loads.

Controversial question of site selection for proposed county law enforcement complex, which County Court has allowed to lie dormant for nearly month, will be revived next Monday when court is expected to make its selection; Presiding Judge Clarence W. Suedekum, who likely will cast decisive vote on whether to authorize construction of complex on industrial site in north Jackson or County Farm on west edge of Cape Girardeau, says he'll be prepared in week to make his decision.

Oak Ridge R-6 School District voters Tuesday overwhelmingly approved $75,000 bond issue proposal for expansion and renovation of high school; vote on proposal, which required two-thirds majority, was 200 for and only six against.

50 years ago: 1948

Two Jacksonians attending Northwestern University at Evanston, Ill., left Sunday; Harriet Mueller, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Mueller, is working on her master's degree in music, and Carolyn Henderson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J.R. Henderson, is a junior.

Residents of Old Appleton were shaken awake shortly after arrival of New Year by explosion of heavy charge of dynamite, just across Apple Creek in Perry County; charge had been set in freshly-plowed field atop a bluff, where blast tore large hole in earth and sent rocks flying in all directions; considerable damage resulted, worst probably being to Old Appleton post office building, where large plate glass was jarred from front; year ago, similar charge was set off at Uniontown, resulting in a lot of damage; prankster evidently set both charges.

Mr. and Mrs. Dale Wolfenkoehler have moved to Alvin Klaus house in East Jackson; formerly, they occupied apartment owned by Mr. and Mrs. Earl Kamp; Mr. and Mrs. Denzil Bollinger, who lived in East Jackson property, have moved to their new home as well.

T.B. Statler returned to his home in Jackson Wednesday after spending two days at his cottage on Whitewater Creek, while watching closely filling of huge lake completed on the farm last summer; water completely filled lake Wednesday morning, spillway working perfectly to take care of overflow.

Curtis Clippard of Cape Girardeau has been named manager of Jackson Kroger Store; Clippard has been working for company in Cape Girardeau.

One fur-bearer hunter in this vicinity has been able to catch only few animals this year; in one catch are 39 raccoons; hides are selling at low price this year, approximately $2 each; coat made from the 39 pelts would cost approximately $300, it is claimed.

More than 700 punchboards and assorted games of chance are still being held in prosecuting attorney's office, but it hasn't been announced what will be done with them; devices were seized several weeks ago by Sheriff Alvin Klaus in county on orders of former Circuit Judge L.D. Joslyn.

75 years ago: 1923

Thermometer didn't go lower than 11 above zero Sunday night, and moderation in temperature is most welcome; Saturday night low mark was 2 below zero; water pipes in basements were frozen, and there was good deal of havoc among auto radiators.

Sunday afternoon pumping machinery at power plant was again set in motion after breakdown of several days; water in reservoirs had become nearly exhausted, and had there been a fire, calamity would have been almost inevitable.

Grand jury Tuesday began investigating law infractions in Cape Girardeau County; at opening of court, Judge Frank Kelly instructed jury on every phase of law, covering reported violations; jury was ordered to investigate conduct of all county offices and distribution of school funds, examine county jail and county home, and probe reported violations of state laws.

At regular meeting of City Council Monday night, William W. Hobbs was appointed city marshal and collector to fill out unexpired term of Robert Reed, who resigned; appointment holds until city election in April; Hobbs has held office of chief of police in Jackson before.

Cecil Unger of Oak Ridge is nursing very sore foot, result of accident which befell him last Thursday, when part of Ford car fell on foot.

One hundred and nineteen veniremen were in Circuit Court Wednesday, qualifying for two important trials -- one a murder trial and other a rape case; besides regular jury panel of 24, there were 95 residents called for special duty.

Two persons were admitted to citizenship by Judge Frank Kelly in Circuit Court Tuesday; John Mehrle, farmer residing on Bloomfield Road, near Cape Girardeau, testified that he had been resident of this country since he was 10 years old, that his father had been naturalized and that he didn't know until recently that he had to do so; he was under impression that, because his father was citizen, he was, too; Franciska Weiss, attendant at St. Francis Hospital, also became a citizen; she has lived in this country for three years.