A LOOK BACK AT JACKSON

25 years ago: 1973

"Dogwood Trails" was theme for Dogwood Ball held at National Guard Armory Saturday night, sponsored by Jackson Community Betterment Association and coordinated by Mu Kappa chapter of Beta Sigma Phi; proceeds from dinner and dance go to Jackson Oliver House Museum Fund.

Delegation of 17 farmers seeking funds from Cape Girardeau County Court for financing rural fire protection service has been told to come up with workable plan before requesting money; Farm Bureau delegation Monday asked court to use federal revenue-sharing funds to finance on temporary basis system similar to old Civil Defense fire-fighting unit; court said no and added there would be no funds forthcoming until definite proposal is made; even then, court says, it might not provide financial assistance.

Voters in Public Water Supply District No. 1 of Cape Girardeau and Perry Counties overwhelmingly approved $180,000 bond issue Tuesday to finance proposed eastward extension of district's water mains; funds will provide for purchase of site and construction of well on south end of district between Pocahontas and Oak Ridge; they also provide for extension of district's water mains from existing mains near Fruitland, east along Highway 177 to area of Charmin Paper Products plant and on certain lateral roads.

County Court Wednesday night submitted to Cape Girardeau City Council application for special use permit to construct new, modern juvenile detention home in 300 block of Merriwether; facility would serve Cape Girardeau County; request was referred to City Planning and Zoning Commission for its recommendation.

50 years ago: 1948

Dump trucks continue to pour heaps of dirt on lot west of Lutheran Church, where plans are for building of new school this summer; dirt will fill in a ravine, bringing that portion of lot up to street level; there will be three teachers next year in Lutheran school: Lydia Isenberg, teaching three lower grades; August Schwak, middle grades, and W.T. Palisch, principal and upper grades.

By grading of school grounds at Lincoln (Negro) School, workers have greatly improved site; grading has been finished with removal and flattening out of lower west end; grounds will be sodded in places which are likely to erode and planted in grass on the level; school, now in use, is of yellow mat brick; Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Smith have been employed again for next year as teachers.

Two-family apartment of Milton Nothdurft is nearing completion, and he and his wife will occupy one portion soon; duplex is constructed of concrete blocks and has no basement; similar structure is under construction in Elmwood Heights by Mr. and Mrs. Marion Nothdurft.

Ground-breaking ceremonies were conducted last Sunday morning at Immaculate Conception Catholic church in opening parish's extensive building program which includes new church and new school; both will be erected on present church grounds; the Rev. W. Auer is pastor of church.

Employees of Cape County Milling Co., Mill A, members of International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Chauffeurs, Warehousemen and Helpers have set May 9 as date to strike unless their wages are increased.

75 years ago: 1923

Vetoing of appropriation for Confederate pensions by Gov. A.M. Hyde has worked hardship on one or two families in Jackson, who have come to depend on such funds for a living; governor contends that pensions are unconstitutional.

Henry Wiseman and family have moved to W.W. Blades house which they lately purchased; John Dickerson will move his family to house owned by T.D. Hines, recently vacated by Wiseman.

Martin L. Haupt of Egypt Mills was re-elected president of Cape Girardeau Farm Bureau at annual meeting held here Saturday; Fred Naeter of The Southeast Missourian newspaper was named member from Cape Girardeau County on executive committee of Southeast Missouri Agricultural Bureau.

Deal whereby P.B. Adams of near Pocahontas becomes owner of C.W. Knox transfer and coal business has been consummated and new owner took charge of concern Tuesday; Knox will devote his time to looking after his road grading jobs on Kingshighway, where he is sub-contractor.

Measles are epidemic in Jackson among children, 21 being absent Monday from 8th grade.

Municipal water and light plant was shut down several hours Wednesday morning while new smoke stack was being constructed on main power house; it is in such a time when water and light aren't available that average resident realizes how indispensable these things have become in household.

Harry Aldredge of Benton Harbor, Mich., has been holding series of meetings at Millersville for spiritualists; the medium has also given readings at Jackson.