A LOOK BACK AT JACKSON

25 years ago: 1974

County's proposed law enforcement complex came under fire again Thursday by group of Allenville residents, who want farm-to-market road from Route N below Allenville to Route A west of Dutchtown improved, including replacement of unsafe Diversion Channel bridge; delegation of eight presented County Court with petition signed by 75 persons who are displeased with road; it was suggested that court cut down cost of jail complex and use money saved for improvement of road and replacement of long bridge.

Ben B. Schweer, for many years chief of police department at Jackson, was honored at retirement luncheon Friday; Schweer is retiring April 1 after 27 years in law enforcement, 16 of which he served as elected police chief during span of eight, two-year terms; he joined department in 1955 and became Jackson's first appointed police chief in 1971, serving in that capacity until August, when David M. Gellatly was appointed; he will retire as a patrolman.

Complaints about high cost of feeding prisoners in Cape Girardeau County Jail prompted Sheriff Ivan E. McLain to submit letter Monday to County Court requesting that it allow him to hire full-time cook for jail; court briefly discussed request but took no action, concluding that cook probably wouldn't be answer to soaring food costs.

Additional Jackson exit signs along Interstate 55 will be requested by Jackson Chamber of Commerce; chamber has instructed its transportation committee to ask Missouri Highway Department to install Jackson exit signs at I-55-Highway 61 interchange north of Jackson; exit signs now at interchange mention only Fruitland.

Two miles of propose 15-mile hiking trail between Jackson and Trail of Tears State Park have been established and may eventually become part of statewide trails system, says Terry Tomko, project co-chairman with Jackson Chamber of Commerce.

Bids totaling $40,475 for purchase of six new buses were accepted Monday night by Jackson R-2 Board of Education; district is to purchase four 66-passenger and two 54-passenger buses for next school year.

50 years ago: 1949

J.R. Bowman, incumbent mayor, filed for re-election and all four retiring aldermen refiled at City Council meeting Monday night; four aldermen to refile were W.K. Sander, Ward 1; Floyd P. McManus, Ward 2; T.E. Gladish, Ward 3; and J.H. O'Conner, Ward 4; others filing for council were J.W. Schreiner, Ward 1; Raymond Godwin, Ward 3; and Walter O. Schroeder, Ward 4; city election will be on April 5.

R.W. Martin has purchased 1.26-acre tract near intersection of highways 25 and 61 from Jacob Loos family; for present Martin has no definite plans for land; he and Ray A. Begley Jr. went to St. Louis Monday to complete four-week course as florists and will be home this weekend to open florist shop.

Faithful Workers Class of Evangelical Sunday School is arranging package to be sent to Emma Paula in Germany; Paula, formerly of Tilsit, is 85 years old and shares her articles with others less fortunate; last shipment to her was package of soap, and for which she wrote letter of appreciation, remarking, "the homemade soap was so fine."

Boy Scout hut was damaged by fire Thursday before Otto Thomas, caretaker at park, discovered blaze; Fire Chief Charles F. Steck estimated damage at $100 for flooring which had to be torn out; fire started in paper which had been collected in scout waste paper drives.

A 30,000-pound vault door is being set in place at Cape County Savings Bank; door was hauled here from St. Louis, and workers have been two days unloading and positioning door; interior of bank is being remodeled, additional room being made for bookkeepers and other employees.

Workers tore away entire brick front of old Jackson Exchange Bank building Thursday; tarpaulins have been hung across upper store to protect offices; building will be given modernistic front with two entrances, one for Schwab & Eakins jewelry store and another for office of Dr. Albert L. Tindall.

Mayor J.R. Bowman withdrew as candidate for nomination for mayor Friday after having filed Monday night at City Council meeting; Bowman, who has served as mayor for 19 or 20 years, withdrew in favor of John R. Mabrey, whose name was filed Wednesday.

75 years ago: 1924

John Ralph Mabrey and family have moved into Klein property he recently purchased.

Gus Tobler, who spent winter with relatives in St. Louis, is back in Jackson again, where he has lived all his life.

Will Hager has sold his property on Cape Girardeau road, but will remain in Jackson.

Bernard Aufdenberg has resigned his position on road patrol under Esco Langston, and Norman Oberbeck has been appointed in his place.

John P. Mabrey and family are preparing to move to their farm just north of city; as starter towards progressive farming, Mabrey has purchased 100 baby chicks.

Mrs. M.S. Henderson drove into Jackson Tuesday from her home on fruit farm west of here, parking her car on Court Street, west of public square; car waited until driver was out of sight, then started to meander about town; it headed down hill, crossed Court Street, negotiated corner near county jail, barely missing concrete wall, bumped down several steps and careened down First North Street with two wheels on street and two on sidewalk, suddenly left south side of First North, crossed that street, sideswiped steps to home of Mrs. Lily Wilson and tore down part of banisters, then entered lawn at Wilson residence, missed large maple tree and finally wound up against another with tremendous thud; Henderson had forgotten to set parking break.

Since weather has become more settled, spring activities on farms and on county roads have started with rush; in town those who have garden spots are beginning to break ground for early planting.