A LOOK BACK AT JACKSON

25 years ago: 1974

Semi-annual financial statement prepared by City Clerk and Treasurer Hubert M. Seabaugh gives sound financial picture of city for first six months of this year; report shows that city had total of $2,420,505.79 available during first half of 1974 and balance of $1,471,410.40 on June 30, following disbursements during the period of $949,095.39.

County Court Thursday apparently put damper on possibility of community of Oak Ridge disincorporating; two members of Town Board appeared before court to find out whether court would take over maintenance and street lighting expenses; court said, however, that it isn't its policy to take over these expenses, since to do so would mean county would be obligated to assume responsibility of roads and lights in all out-county subdivisions and settlements, if it were requested to do so; Oak Ridge community's problem is lack of money.

Bids will be received Aug. 15 by County Court for replacement of four bridges in county.

Delinquent county real estate taxes or portions of them have been paid on 67 of 87 parcels of land that would have been sold at delinquent tax sale had taxes not been paid, County Collector Harold D. Kuehle said Friday; remaining properties will be auctioned off Aug. 26 on south County Courthouse steps.

Major renovation proposal for Jackson R-2 schools, which in its entirety would cost more than $2.3 million, was submitted Monday night during special meeting of Board of Education; William McLaughlin of Hanner, Breitweiser and McLaughlin architectural firm of Chester, Ill., presented board with list of 24 recommendations for improvements to high school and construction of new elementary school to replace ones at Pocahontas and Fruitland at cost of $690,000; his recommendations also contained construction of new football field and related facilities, construction of new industrial arts building, construction of new band room, and addition to gymnasium.

50 years ago: 1949

Mr. and Mrs. Fred Starzinger plan to hold public sale at their home on July 22 to dispose of livestock, farm machinery, corn and some household goods, before they move to Pocahontas; they have farmed on large acreage 44 years and this land was sold last week to Fred Koeppel of Cape Girardeau; farm is six miles east of Jackson and 10 miles north of Cape Girardeau.

Threshing has been rained out again in the rings north of Oak Ridge; two-hour periods in afternoon were about all that could be worked last week because of rains; farmers are facing loss of wheat by sprouting.

Three delegations of farmers became before County Court Monday relative to washed out roadbeds; Charles Bollinger, highway engineer, has been receiving numerous calls of culverts washed out, roadbeds damaged and in need of attention; road crews were at work in morning and each project sill be attended to as soon as possible.

Bolt of lightning Tuesday struck McKendree Methodist Church, doing slight damage to belfry and to carillon bells; damage to tower isn't known, but several of rocks were loosened on northwest corner.

Park committee met Tuesday to make plans for immediate improvements at City Park, to include two drinking fountains, two restrooms within the old building, to repair oven on lower drive and, if funds are available, to build three more ovens; fund allocated is $2,500, but to repair Scout hut will take approximately $1,300, as lower floor is being made into headquarters for Girl Scouts.

Rotary and Optimist clubs are sponsoring drive to create fund of $500 to be used to buy equipment for City Park; wading pool and merry-go-round for small tots are two items sought.

Workers are completing drilling of holes and erecting standards for 100 new parking meters to be installed in Jackson; meters will be on South High and Main streets; six meters of 12-minute type will be installed as far east as post office.

Tract of 360 acres near Oriole, owned by H.A. Steinhoff, was sold this week; buyers were H.L. Jones, R.O. Browning, E.C. Raines and Keith Trolliver; acreage is covered with young growth of white oak timber.

75 years ago: 1924

Articles of agreement for re-incorporation of Cape Girardeau Bell Telephone Co. have been filed for record in recorder's office here; company is capitalized at $375,000, and stock is divided into 5,000 shares, of which 1,250 shares are preferred stock and all held by John Tlapek of St. Marys.

Origin of fire which destroyed barn of August A. Bornfield, four miles west of Jackson, Saturday morning, hasn't been determined; storm was in progress at time the barn was seen to catch fire, but members of family heard nothing to indicate bolt of lightning had struck building; barn was insured for $578, and there was no livestock in it at time of blaze.

Mrs. Elvira Randol died at home of her step-daughter, Mrs. William M. Slinkard, near Jackson July 20; she had been bedfast last six months; Randol was born near Jackson on July 8, 1850; she was member of Poe family, which was among early settlers; she was married to Arthur W. Randol on Dec. 16, 1890, and he died Jan. 17, 1897; her only surviving relatives are her step-daughter and step-son, Guy Randol.

Blucher Sperling has purchased Bowman property, formerly Dr. Atkins' home, on High Street, for $5,000; Sperling family will move in last of this week or first part of next.

Marie Sachse, daughter of 'Squire and Mrs. John H. Sachse of Jackson, has been engaged as supervisor of music at public schools at Pineville, Ky., in the Cumberlands; Sachse is honor graduate of 1924 class of Conservatory of Music at Louisville, Ky.