A LOOK BACK AT JACKSON

25 years ago, 1974

Jimmy Joe Below, clerk-elect of Common Pleas Court, spent more money than any other candidate for county office in November general election; he was followed closely by Pauline Young, successful candidate for recorder of deeds, and Marybelle Mueller, who won probate judgeship; expenditures are listed on candidate affidavits which must be filed with recorder of deeds 30 days after each election.

New two-year ambulance service contract between County Court and Cape County Private Ambulance Service Inc. of Cape Girardeau more than doubles annual subsidy which had been paid firm by county and cities of Cape Girardeau and Jackson under old three-year contract; County Court Thursday finalized terms of new contract, which provides annual subsidy of $54,000, $27,900 more than was paid annually under contract which expires Dec. 31.

Cape Girardeau County will hold another auction Jan. 25 to rid itself of surplus items and salvageable fixtures in old house adjacent to County Jail; auction is to be held at old house to west of jail under supervision of Sheriff Ivan E. McLain; similar auction early this year was termed success by county officials.

Home of Mr. and Mrs. Ray Crowden at Jackson received considerable damage from fire Monday, but Delta Volunteer Fire Department was able to extinguish blaze before home was destroyed.

50 years ago, 1949

Eighteen of 66 rural schools of county have reported on Christmas Seal Sales to pupils; these schools, ranging in pupils from eight to 43, have contributed $43.64 to control of tuberculosis, and each school has had program of discovery, prevention and early cures of disease.

Those who work in courthouse found conditions more comfortable Tuesday, after suffering through chilly workday Monday caused by breakdown of furnace; technician, Elwood Poe, worked until late at night making needed repairs.

Katherine Kennedy, Dunklin County home agent for six years, has been named home agent in Cape Girardeau County; she will assume her duties Jan. 1; Kennedy succeeds Ruth Crowley, who has been home agent at Jackson for year; Crawley has accepted position on state 4-H Club staff, and will be headquartered at Columbia.

Ray Allen has sold large acreage, formerly known as Horrell farm, northwest of Jackson on Oak Ridge Road, to Lee Bond of Cape Girardeau; Allen purchased tract three years ago.

For first time in 40 years, art glass skylight in upper rotunda of county courthouse was cleaned Friday; washing compound for glass with sponge was used by Thomas Brothers, in charge of interior decorating of building; covered with film of black smoke and dust, pretty color long had been hidden from view.

75 years ago, 1924

Bricklayers have finished their part of job on new building which is to house new municipal power plant, and placing of roof will now be pushed with all vigor, so that when real cold weather prevails, work of installing machinery can continue; practically all machinery is on site; new plant will have capacity twice that of old plant, which was adequate for 15 years, but which can't carry the load now.

Hardsurfacing of Highway 25, north of Jackson, has begun in all seriousness; large fleet of motor trucks is transporting masses of gravel from huge banks in bed of Indian Creek to highway, where it is piled on roadbed five inches deep; distance from highway to creek bed is considerable, but quality of macadam obtained is superior also.

Lightning struck dwelling on J.E. Jones farm near Allenville during storm early on morning of Dec. 7, and considerable damage was done to building; tenants, a Mr. Given and his family, escaped without injury, and no fire resulted; this is almost miraculous, as building was wrecked and torn apart in unusual manner.

Charles Abernathy, prosperous Byrd Township farmer, complains that some sneak thief invaded his hog pen and swiped three 250-pound hogs; these hogs were about ready for market and were taken out of herd of 45; Abernathy believes that pigs have been converted into meat, lard and sausage by this time.

Part of Jackson's residential district is in darkness on account of breakdown at municipal power plant; mayor has asked that residents be economical in use of lights for few days, so that smaller machine, now carrying entire load, won't blow up too.