A LOOK BACK AT JACKSON

25 years ago: 1974

Cape Girardeau County communities of Burfordville, Old Appleton and Caney Fork, northwest of Oak Ridge, were drenched Thursday by heavy rains ranging from 2 1/2 to 11 inches; residents along Whitewater Creek off Highway 34 at Burfordville had to be evacuated from their homes as water rushing down from flooded Friedheim-Biehle area pushed Whitewater over its banks.

Enrollment in Jackson's public and parochial schools totals 3,161 for 1974-75 school year which began this week; there are 28 fewer students registered; number of pupils declined in all schools except Immaculate Conception Catholic School and Russell Hawkins Junior High; kindergarten enrollment also increased.

Construction of controversial county law enforcement complex is up in air again, thanks to site preparation bids that are considered too high and uncertain future of federal revenue-sharing program that is supposed to finance project; double troubles may force County Court to reconsider at least design of proposed complex; recommended site -- 23-acre tract on County Farm property in west Cape Girardeau -- may be restudied, and court may reconsider two other proposed sites, both in Jackson.

Clarence Lee Shirrell, who is associated with Cape Ready-Mix Inc. and Jackson Ready-Mix, has been appointed to serve as chairman of industrial division of 1974 Jackson Community Chest campaign; he is native of Cape Girardeau and has been active in civic affairs in Jackson and Cape Girardeau.

By four-to-four vote, City Council Tuesday night deadlocked on request of George Bockhorst to rezone from R-1 to C-2 a 17-acre tract of land along Highway 61 East for probable shopping center; however, in another rezoning hearing, council granted zoning change on 16-acre tract owned by Wib Bangert directly across highway from Bockhorst property; there was no opposition to Bangert's request, which council granted unanimously, but strong opposition to that of Bockhorst.

First step in preparing for submission of one-cent city sales tax proposal to voters here was taken by City Council Tuesday; diverting from its agenda, council unanimously adopted resolution of Councilman Dennis Sievers which instructs City Attorney Kenneth L. Waldron to prepare ordinance calling for special election on proposal Nov. 26; among other things, tax would provide funds for construction of new municipal swimming pool and police-fire headquarters building.

50 years ago: 1949

Silver anniversary of Jackson Homecomers opened Tuesday afternoon with welcoming address by Mayor J.R. Mabrey; it is 41 years after festival's inception, first reunion being held in 1908; because of wars, Depression and other reasons, there were gaps, but since 1919 event has had continuous record; American Legion is sponsoring this year's celebration.

Purchasing committee for Lutheran Church picnic at Friedheim, on Sept. 4, is engaged in buying supplies; steer now weighing 1,200 pounds has been corn fed all summer to be butchered for event; picnic is annual one of church and attracts people from over Cape Girardeau, Bollinger and Perry counties.

At recent congregational meeting, Evangelical Church authorized Church Council to place new roof on church; present roof has served 20 years; congregation also rejected proposal to sell church recreational lot, purchased in 1947 and grown into popular recreational spot.

Threatened disruption of Silver Anniversary of Homecomers celebration was settled amicably Wednesday morning, when sponsoring American Legion officials and Coffee Drinkers Friendship Club, composed of members from Jackson and Cape Girardeau, reached agreement on difficulty involving location of concession stand; when club started to set up bingo stand on street, Hottel Shows, carnival showing during Homecomers, threatened to pull out of celebration or refuse to pay its guarantee; Friendship Club decided to forego is stand rather than threaten success of Homecomers.

Jackson float won second place honors in parade at Poplar Bluff centennial celebration Wednesday; float featured wooden bridge and mill; it carried Jeanne Priest, queen of Jackson, and her attendants, Mary H. Thomas and Marjorie Morton, as well as Mary Lou Randal and Anna Gibson, hostesses for Jackson Homecomers.

75 years ago: 1924

Andrew Kinder, son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert F. Kinder, who lives just outside city limits of Jackson, had his right arm badly fractured Friday by kick from a car.

Sunday afternoon about 60 descendants of John W. Ruff gathered on farm of Mrs. Jennie Ruff near Fruitland for family reunion; picnic dinner was spread and was enjoyed by all; guests from distance were Mrs. Elvira Ruff and Mrs. Ella Black of Texarkana; name of John W. Ruff appears in county records as early as January 1849, when he purchased 40 acres from William Garner; to this he added more land from time to time, until his plantation covered practically all land in bottoms and hills at headwaters of Indian Creek in Shawnee Township; upon his death, Ruff was buried at old Shiloh Church; his was first grave in cemetery near that church.

Annual Fellhauer party took place Friday at home of Helen Caldwell, on North High Street; about 60 little folks were present, guests of Pete Fellhauer, who gives them jolly time each year; ice cream, cookies and soda water was served to hungry bunch; Edith May Ellis and Nita Rose and others entertained with fancy dancing, with Millicent Mueller and Marjorie Gockel at piano.

Public schools started off in satisfactory manner Monday; day was spent in assigning places and making up classes; in high school, enrollment is larger than last year, with 195 pupils on lists and prospects to bring total up to 200 or more; in grammar schools, enrollment so far is practically same as last year, but substantial increase is expected later; Lutheran parochial school enrolled 45 pupils, and Catholic school 40; Lincoln schools also opened with about same number as last year.

Hugo Putz is spending his vacation with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Putz, at Pocahontas; he will soon return to his studies in theological seminary at Maywood, Ill.