A LOOK BACK AT JACKSON

25 years ago: 1974

Because nearly 60 percent of serious situations that confront police occur at night, Jackson Police Department gathered Wednesday for night firing range practice, something unique for Southeast Missouri law enforcement and most of nation; 10 of department's 11-man force fired at police firing range here with .38-caliber pistols and 12-gauge riot shotguns; those participating agreed that firing in darkness is completely different situation; none of officers had ever done it before.

County Court Thursday authorized County Park Board to continue with plans to construct maintenance shed and six picnic shelters on County Farm in west Cape Girardeau; Park Board Chairman A.C. "Doc" Brase said board plans to construct six 20 by 30-foot shelters and maintenance shed at cost of about $15,000.

Four men were injured after explosion and fire damaged Ceramo Co., Friday night; all were treated and released at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau except Earl Stovall of Jackson, who suffered second-degree chemical burns; extensive damage was done to company's laboratory and machine shop; explosion could be felt as far as 1 1/4 miles away.

Locally assessed property in Cape Girardeau County has increased by more than $9 million in last year; largest increases came in areas of lots on real estate book and motor vehicles; although figures could be changed by board of equalization, lots rose from $58,386,349 in 1973 to $63,993,980 this year, and assessments on motor vehicles was $8,101,880 last year and $9,255,580 this year.

David M. Gellatly, Jackson police chief for past three years, has resigned his position effective July 31 to assume duties as chief of police at Addison, Ill., west Chicago suburb; Gellatly became Jackson's first full-time police chief in August 1971 after having served as police chief in Lexana, Kansas; he became first chief of police in Southeast Missouri to have college degree, when he was presented associate of arts degree in police administration at Southeast Missouri State University in December.

50 years ago: 1949

Lawrence A. Sander has gone to Troy, Ill., where he has accepted position in Troy Security Bank; his application was approved last week by Illinois finance department; he is former cashier of Gordonville Bank and was recently employed by Jackson Lumber Co.

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Brothers have purchased six-acre tract on Highway 61 near Williams Creek from Mr. and Mrs. Elmer S. Wolters; couple plans to erect ranch-type house immediately; land is last of Wolters tract there, three acres having been sold to the Rev. S.E. Stringham and remainder to Fuerhahn family.

Wheat from farmers using combines is beginning to pour into Cape County Milling Co.; wheat is tested for moisture and found to be rather wet; frequent rains have caused much damage to wheat in vicinity of Jackson.

Farmers in Burfordville-Millersville vicinity were able to plow Wednesday, first day in three weeks; rains have heavily handicapped job of cultivating corn in many spots over county.

Classification of rural schools operating in this county, as received by State Director Raymond Roberts, shows there are two AAA schools, Daisy and Campster; two AA, Pocahontas and Fruitland; and 59 A schools and others unclassified; report is from score cards prepared in schools covering school unit and grounds, building, equipment, library, school board, teacher, pupils, health and sanitation, and community; classification has nothing to do with city schools, Cape Girardeau, Jackson, Oak Ridge or Delta.

Workers of Park-A-Kar Co., started removing parking meter standards Thursday; there are 216 meters to be lifted from bases of concrete.

Five of oldest books of records in County Recorder's office are being repaired this week by book-binding company; books contain plats of county, oldest one dating to 1807.

75 years ago: 1924

"Uniform decoration flags," so much in use now, have been ordered for public square; if flags arrive in time, they will be used for first time on Fourth of July; they will stand at each of four entrances to courthouse and at each of four corners of square.

John Ade, foremost apiarist in Jackson, says this is one of best seasons for honey he has seen; every bee colony in his apiary is filling every available space with finest kind of white clover nectar, typical Missouri kind of honey, which has very few equals and no superiors; market on honey is high, and demand is always greater than supply.

Arrangements have been made for Mr. and Mrs. Julius Jahns to move to Winter Haven, Fla., where they'll reside with their children; couple will sell everything and leave with their daughter, Mrs. Alvina Craig, who is here; two are in poor health and Mr. Jahns is almost blind.

Application blanks for national soldiers' bonus have arrived and are being filled out by World War veterans; form is complicated affair, and very few veterans attempt to fill out questionnaires without help.

Some changes have been made in force on Jackson Branch of Missouri Pacific Railroad; Pete Fellhauer succeeds H.H. Blades as brakeman on Allenville run; Will Rose was dropped from engine force, and Charles Fatchett is now sole watchman at engine house during night; Rose will likely go to Doniphan for few months, and will probably be returned to his old job here.