A LOOK BACK AT JACKSON

25 years ago: 1974

Cape Girardeau County school districts will get $721,427.47 in 1973 railroad, telephone, telegraph and utilities taxes, increase of $34,996.31 over 1972 amount, says County Clerk Rusby C. Crites; in addition, total of $26,047.54 in tax collections on local assessments of these businesses is being apportioned to four of the seven county school districts, representing increase of $1,691.75 over total local assessment taxes in 1972.

Three seats are open on both Jackson R-2 and Cape Girardeau County boards of education, but as yet no candidates have filed for upcoming April 2 election; deadline for filing for county board is March 1, while deadline date for Jackson board is expected to be set at Tuesday night's board meeting.

Jackson Police Chief David M. Gellatly was presented Peace Officer of Year Award and $50 U.S. Savings Bond by Cape Girardeau Breakfast and Evening Exchange clubs at dinner Wednesday in honor of area representatives of criminal justice system.

Preliminary draft of 74-page subdivision and mobile home park regulation -- first step toward countywide planning and zoning master plan -- has been presented to County Court; in submitting proposal for court's approval, Norman H. Weiss of Jackson, chairman of county Planning and Zoning Commission, asked that plan not be made public until after it is given legal review.

50 years ago: 1949

City Council Monday night authorized American Legion to proceed with plans for annual Homecomers Reunion and stage it, as usual, in business district about courthouse; N. Burton Short, committee chairman, said dates would be Aug. 30 to Sept. 3.

County Court Monday reappointed A.W. Berry to three-year term as member of commission of Cape Special Road District; other members are Fred A. Groves, chairman, and J.C. Logan; court also reappointed Dr. D.G. Seibert as county health officer.

Approximately 100 persons attended annual family night supper of Boy Scouts and Court of Honor Monday night at First Baptist Church; annual report of F.S. McClanahan, scout leader, showed that three courts of honor were held during last year and that 165 merit badges were given with many advancements approved; there are now five Eagle Scouts in Jackson.

Mary Ann Spradling, representing Legion Post 158 of Jackson, won first place in district American Legion oratorical contest held at Dexter on Wednesday; she competed against pupils from Stoddard, Scott and New Madrid counties; Spradling is now eligible for zone contest in St. Louis.

With Jackson's city election approximately eight weeks away, some interest is being shown by prospective candidates; Troy Haupt filed this week as candidate for city marshal; Joe M. Knox is now marshal; Haupt was, until Feb. 1, superintendent of county farm.

Petitions are making their appearance at different places in town, where those disliking the parking meters may sign, asking mayor and City Council to remove meters; some consider meters an obstruction and nuisance.

75 years ago: 1924

According to report of state tax commission, there are 154.21 miles of railroad track in Cape Girardeau County; this trackage is divided among six systems: Missouri Pacific, St. Louis S.W., Gray's Point Terminal, Frisco, Cape Girardeau Northern, and Cape Girardeau & Jackson Interurban; Western Union, Cape Girardeau Bell Telephone and all rural telephone lines together have 201.30 miles of "poles," 1,066.80 miles of wire and 21.93 miles of copper wire and over half-mile of conduit.

Guy Hansel moved last Tuesday to Hunter house on Second East South Street, from Trickey property on Florence Street.

Everett Gregory, one of proprietors of battery station at Jackson, about four weeks ago used some gasoline to start fire in stove; explosion followed, and for while house was in danger of being consumed by flames; Gregory was severely burned, especially on left foot, which has given him considerable pain since that time.

One of The Missourian's carrier boys, Fred Putz, while running and playing Sunday, fell and twisted his knee until joint became dislocated; Dr. I.L. Seabaugh gave injured leg skillful yank, and joint was restored to normalcy.

Little nieces of Mr. and Mrs. J.W. Miller, Thomsa and Pauline Proffer, who are making their homes with their aunt and uncle, are still confined to their beds, trying out rest cure for continued fever and threatened lung trouble; they have been ill for six or eight weeks and don't improve much.

Stephen B. Hunter of Cape Girardeau was in Jackson several hours Tuesday and was principal speaker at business men's luncheon at Hotel Jackson; about 50 members of Jackson Chamber of Commerce heard Hunter, who spoke on proposed new constitution, in framing of which he had a part.