A LOOK BACK AT JACKSON

25 years ago: 1974

Delay in letting of bids for construction of proposed county law complex has increased estimated cost of construction by about $150,000, county officials learned Thursday; cost hike forced officials to instruct architect Thomas E. Phillips to prepare revised plans for complete construction of jail and sheriff's office portions of building and to abandon plans for completion of Magistrate Courtroom and related offices, which are badly needed; instead, plans are to seek alternate bids to construct only outer walls of courtroom, Magistrate and prosecuting attorney offices, with hopes that they can be completed at future date.

Cape Girardeau County sheriff's deputies say they'll seek charges of felonious assault and attempted escape against three prisoners, one of whom tried to stab Deputy James Evans with spoon handle while they were being transported from Marble Hill to Benton Saturday night; trio was being taken to Scott County jail at request of Bollinger County authorities; deputies say they received request to pick them up because prisoners got drunk Saturday afternoon in Bollinger County jail, where they were being held as trusties for Cape Girardeau County.

Four Jackson girls will be among 540 girls attending Missouri Girls State to be held on campus of Stephens College at Columbia June 23-29, sponsored by American Legion Auxiliary; they are Nancy McGuire, Marion Proffer, Connie Haynes and Jan McDonald.

Bids and purchases for $10,710.57 worth of furnishings for new Cape County Juvenile Home at Cape Girardeau were approved Monday by County Court; Law Enforcement Assistance Council funds will be used to pay for furnishings on bids submitted by three firms and other items that are being directly purchased from two other firms because no bids were submitted by them.

Ordinance establishing vacation time and sick leave for city employees and awarding of contract for paving of Goodson Drive were among items approved by City Council Monday; prior to going to closed meeting, council accepted recommendation of Alderman Robert Strack that Planning and Zoning Commission commence with rezoning of newly-annexed areas of city.

50 years ago: 1949

Dewberries were in first stages of ripening over weekend, and bumper crop is noted with berries being nearly as large as plums; many persons who have picked dewberries all of their lives say this year's production is largest they have seen; berries are selling for 30 cents a quart.

Boys representing civic clubs of Jackson for Boys State will leave Saturday morning by chartered bus, which is to start from Caruthersville; Jackson boys and clubs they represent are Bradley Adams, American Legion; Paul Gilbert, Rotary Club; Jack Byrd, Chamber of Commerce, and Don Dickerson, Optimist Club.

N. Burton Short, chairman of Homecomers committee, received note Tuesday from White House in reply to American Legion's invitation to President Harry Truman to attend Homecoming, to be staged Aug. 30 to Sept. 3; because of what late summer might bring in way of schedules, President is non-committal at this time, but will give definite reply in July or August.

Paul Roloff, trombone player, was soloist with Municipal Band Thursday night during its public concert; selections he played were "A Perfect Day" and "Somewhere a Voice Is Calling"; three members of Roloff family are band members: A.W. Roloff, his son, Leo A., and Paul Roloff.

Dr. Jack Rose, who graduated from Washington University School of Dentistry, is at home with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. J.L. Rose; he will be associated with Dr. Vinyard Kies.

Schwab-Eakins Jewelry Store is now located at new quarters in Milde-Williams building, which recently underwent extensive remodeling.

75 years ago: 1924

New home of Excelsior Lodge, No. 441, Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons, was dedicated Thursday evening in presence of nearly 400 Masons, who came here from six states to assist in ceremonies; Joseph F. McIntyre of St. Louis, grand master of Grand Lodge of Missouri, officiated at services, being assisted by Grand Secretary F.R. Jesse and number of deputies and past deputies from this Masonic district; new hall is perhaps finest Masonic temple in Southeast Missouri; on lower floor is large dining room, club room, smoking room and kitchen; lodge hall is on second floor and there are number of smaller rooms about it, which are used by lodge members, DeMolays and members of Eastern Star to store paraphernalia; balcony in one end of room is especially suited for music.

Friday afternoon several square yards of plastering came off ceiling in county treasurer's office and fell to floor with crash; no one was injured, but adding machine and other fixtures were damaged slightly.

From large farm of F.E. Kies comes champion snake story of season; Rudolph C. Crites, tenant, found two snakes battling over dead rabbit; he fired four shots at reptile which had rabbit, succeeding in killing snake; meanwhile, other snake escaped; measurements taken showed that dead snake was 10 feet long and "of a circumference in keeping with its length."

Herman Hoffmeister has purchased several hundred acres of land in Ashland County, Wis., on banks of Lake Superior; he is contemplating changing his residence to Badger State.

Mrs. Linder Burford has sold out her hotel to Frederick Ellis of Charleston, who will continue to run the place.