A LOOK BACK AT JACKSON

25 years ago: 1974

County Courthouse got unpleasant taste of interruptible gas contract -- a $339 penalty fee for not switching to standby propane last weekend when it was ordered to do so; county officials had erroneously assumed switch over was automatic.

Postmaster L.L. Buchheit has received official notification that effective July 1 Old Appleton Post Office will advance from fourth class to third class designation; change will upgrade post office, but all service and operations will remain same; it is first time in 148-year history of post office that it has received designation change.

City of Jackson will join growing number of residents from this city and rural Cape Girardeau County in seeking to enjoin County Court from construction proposed county law enforcement complex on County Farm in Cape Girardeau; City Council Monday unanimously adopted resolution authorizing City Attorney Kenneth L. Waldron to "pursue all legal remedies and legal processes available" in filing suit and appeal it to Missouri Supreme Court if necessary.

Missouri Highway Department intends to reopen hearings on proposed Highway 72 relocation around Jackson, City Council has learned; highway commission informed council by letter that relocation study will be updated and another hearing scheduled.

Kenneth L. Waldron, Jackson attorney, has been awarded Distinguished Service Award from Jackson Jaycees.

Pupils in Jackson R-2 School District who ride school buses heavier than six tons over Cape Girardeau County's six-ton load limit bridges soon will be unboarding their buses and walking across; Board of Education Tuesday night instructed administration to examine weights of loaded buses traveling bridges and order children riding these buses that exceed six tons to unboard, walk across spans and board buses again on other side.

50 years ago: 1949

County Court appointed H.L. Conley as superintendent of County Home for one-year period beginning Feb. 1; Conley, farmer living east of Jackson, succeeds Troy Haupt; his salary will be $1,000 and he will file bond for $500.

Frieda Meyer has been named deputy to Common Pleas Clerk Pearl Hawkins by County Court.

Freshman Week in high school is in full swing, with all freshmen undergoing initiation set forth by Student Council; on Tuesday class members wore three stripes painted on their legs above the ankle, with "F" painted in medicine on cheeks; Tuesday, youngsters wore their parents' clothes to school.

County Treasurer W.P. Caruthers has been delayed in making second apportionment of state school money because of error, requiring correction in state office; second apportionment is $126,335.97, approximately $4,000 more than second apportionment last year for county.

Cleveland Clowns defeated Jackson VFW basketball team Wednesday night at high school gymnasium, 83-73; Gilbert "Tiny" Reichert, 8 foot 3 inch player, paced Clowns with 40 points, making 20 in each half; close to 600 fans attended game.

Upon recommendation of Sheriff Alvin F. Klaus, following deputies were appointed and approved in Circuit Court Wednesday by Judge Robert B. Oliver III: Otto A. Sperling, Irene Siemers, Paul Haertling and Ben A. Schweer.

Circuit Court library was moved to Cape Girardeau Thursday afternoon by order of Judge Robert B. Oliver III; six large bookcases of law books were moved by truck; library had been stored in jury room since opening the Magistrate Court in the library.

75 years ago: 1924

Old Hoffman home, corner of East Main and Barton streets, which is being wrecked, recalls the fact that Company F, 29th Missouri Infantry, Volunteers, which was composed of Cape Girardeau and Scott County boys, was camped in and around this historic home during and shortly after its organization in 1862; it was also recalled that boys, full of fun and devilment, swiped several pigs that were running around loose in Jackson at that time, and had barbecue in spite of tearful protestations of owners; Hoffman house also served as bastille for several "bush-whackers," who were guarded by members of Company F until they were sent away to one of Federal prisons.

Mr. and Mrs. George Heuschober have decided to remain on their farm and will sell or rent new building they have built on Second East Street.

Edward Klaus and family have moved to Henry Altenthal farm; Mrs. Altenthal and family have moved into Ernest Caldwell's house on North High Street.

Joint meeting of W.C.T.U., McKendree M.E. Church congregation, Baptist, Presbyterian and Evangelical churches was held Sunday night; large auditorium of McKendree Chapel was filled to capacity, and address given by the Rev. C.H. Swift of Cape Girardeau on "Putting the Law into Lawlessness" was deemed best ever heard on this subject; music was excellent.

The Rev. W. Krueger of Gordonville Lutheran church has received call from congregation at Knoxville, Tenn., and may accept, if his present congregation will release him.

Dr. F. Brase, for years one of best known physicians in this county, is very low with dropsy at his home on First East Street; hope for his recovery has been practically abandoned.