A LOOK BACK AT JACKSON

25 years ago: 1974

A 74-page preliminary report regulating development of subdivisions and mobile home courts in county was submitted to County Court Monday by Norman H. Weiss, chairman of County Planning and Zoning Commission; Weiss said commission wants court to review its proposed plan -- first of several that will be drawn up to provide master plan for county planning and zoning -- and meet with commission to discuss any questions judges may have.

County Assessor Ed Blumenberg has submitted 1974 Cape Girardeau County real estate assessment book to County Court; it will next go to County Clerk Rusby Crites, so that he may complete assessment report that as due to Missouri Tax Commission June 20; Blumenberg said his totals of real estate assessments show increase of $8.4 million this year over last.

Missouri American Revolution Bicentennial Flag that will fly over City Hall should cause "each of us to pause and think of the 200 years of freedom of our country and community," Mayor Carlton Meyer said Monday upon accepting flag during ceremonies on courthouse lawn; flag was presented by Kenneth White, executive secretary of Missouri American Revolution Bicentennial Commission; in April, Jackson was chosen to participate in bicentennial celebration; ceremony officially marks beginning of three-year festivities.

No formal port authority application procedure has yet been established by Missouri Department of Transportation, but this shouldn't discourage county courts of Cape Girardeau and Scott counties from continuing to plan jointly for authority, Prosecuting Attorney A.J. Seier told court Monday.

50 years ago: 1949

The Rev. and Mrs. Theodore Schmidt of Jennings, Neb., missionary from Brazil, were weekend guests of her brother and sister-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Wilson Sides; on Sunday, Sides family reunion was held.

Sunday afternoon while playing, Harley Henry, son of Mr. and Mrs. Toby Henry, living west of Jackson on Highway 34, fell from horse and broke his arm.

At City Council meeting Monday, council ordered 100 parking meters installed within 60 days; they will replace large number of meters, and meters of another type, which had been voted out after trial of six months; in other action, Mrs. Shelby Brown was appointed to replace Dr. E.F. McDonald on park board.

Crowd of 35 persons enjoyed picnic supper on lawn at home of Mr. and Mrs. William Lowes when Wesleyan Service Guild of McKendree Methodist Church met with Mr. and Mrs. Emil Brase; it was announced that Mrs. J.W. Dalton was elected conference delegate for Wesleyan Service Guilds to General Assembly for Methodist Women.

Fire department made run to home of Ervin Borgfield on Farmington Avenue Thursday morning, where it was called to extinguish burning 1932 Chevrolet; car was badly damaged.

Mrs. Richard Wagner and Irene Wilson were in charge of story hour at library Saturday, which is sponsored by Thursday Study Club.

75 years ago: 1924

N. Dale Browning of Jackson, who follows diversity of occupations, among them being proprietor of filling station, politician, capitalist and gentleman farmer, has 34 acres of cotton growing on his two farms in vicinity of Jackson; every morning he can be seen taking bunch of men out on his estates to hoe cotton; he has no trouble finding help; in fact, he has had to turn away several applicants.

Returning from Zimmer farm Friday, hearse of Wessell Undertaking Co. slid in ditch near Brennecke farm west of Jackson; it took several hours of work to extricate vehicle.

Monday was shipping day for Cooperative Shipping Association in Jackson; beginning with dawn, wagons loaded with livestock of all and every description began to arrive in Jackson; at switch yards of Missouri Pacific Railroad, cooperative association has proper facilities to handle stock in large numbers, as there are pens, sheds, scales, provisions for watering and feeding stock, proper loading chutes, and all necessary appliances and conveniences.

J.H.C. Kerstner Tuesday sold Will Sawyer home in East Jackson to Louis M. Smith for $2,500.

Severe windstorm struck Jackson Tuesday; while there was no serious damage done, still there are wrecked trees and smashed glass in doors and window.

Those who have business in office of court of clerk of circuit court will now find office on second floor of courthouse; office now occupies room in which farm bureau was formerly located.

Water and light committee of City Council Wednesday let contract for extending water main from grammar school west to Obermiller place and then south to Knox Addition; sealed bids were submitted and Scott Mitchell was successful bidder, his bid being 6 1/4 cents per lineal foot.