A LOOK BACK AT JACKSON

25 years ago: 1973

Jackson Municipal Band, under direction of Nick Leist, will open its summer concert season Thursday evening, performing at municipal bandstand on courthouse lawn; 14 concerts are scheduled for this season, including special performances commemorating Independence Day and one during Jackson Homecomers celebration.

Request of Paul Beattie to rezone plot of land near Old Cape Road and Highway 61 for construction of restaurant came under fire at Monday night's City Council meeting; declaring he was at public hearing on zoning request in behalf of practically all residents near site, Allen S. Burnett submitted petition bearing signatures of about 20 persons opposed to rezoning; council voted unanimously to postpone decision on issue.

Although there is widespread concern over possibility of major gasoline shortage across country this summer, automobile sales continue at good pace; most Cape Girardeau and Jackson car dealers say their sales are up over year ago; some say this is because area residents don't believe big gas shortage is imminent in this area.

50 years ago: 1948

Barley was cut south of Jackson Monday in field on farm of N.A. Illers; Illers, co-owner of Model Grocery Story, spent Memorial Day at farm assisting with harvesting; oats are also nearly ready for binder.

Temporary breakdown in municipal power and light plant Tuesday evening caused many meals being cooked on electric ranges to be disrupted; for more than 30 minutes, current was low; workers were recalled to plant by the two whistle blast to make repairs, and after short time current was restored.

Census figures released by U.S. Supervisor Burton P. Weaver revealed increase in population of Jackson from 3,113 in 1940 to 3,451; figures are preliminary and result of hand count conducted at office in Cape Girardeau; final census figures won't be available until sometime after July 1.

Ethel Mae Daume, junior of Jackson High School, has been chosen to attend Girls State by American Legion Auxiliary; she is daughter of C.H. Daume, who lives south of Jackson

Crew of 30 men, who will complete installation of underground cable of American Telegraph & Telephone Co., came to Jackson Wednesday; all are seeking living quarters and several have succeeded in renting rooms.

Municipal swimming pool has been filled with water and swimmers were admitted to pool for first time this summer Friday afternoon; Bob Thomas is lifeguard and Patrolman Pink Wills is pool supervisor.

75 years ago: 1923

Another heavy rain Wednesday afternoon soaked already water-logged ground to make it entirely unfit for cultivation; in short space of time, 1.20 inches of rain was recorded by gauge at local observation station.

Louis F. Wagner has purchased property on First South Street adjoining Catholic church from F.S. Rodgers; he plans to build house on east half of lot; his mother will build on west half of lot.

Mary Catherine Bennett Hager, oldest woman in Jackson and second oldest resident of town, died at home of her son, Joe Hager, in East Jackson on June 2; she was 94 years old, having been born on farm on Cane Creek west of Jackson on March 23, 1829; with exception of short period during Civil War, she live all her life in Cape Girardeau County; during war, family lived near Oran.

On Sunday, Black Baptists of Jackson will have cornerstone-laying ceremony at site where formerly stood Corinthian Church, which was wrecked by cyclone on March 11; elaborate program has been prepared; services will begin in morning at Knights of Tabor lodge rooms; assembly will then go to building site in southern part of city for cornerstone laying.

Number of items were handled by City Council Monday night; James Randol was appointed cemetery sexton and C.F. Steck was named fire chief; ordinance to enforce Volstead law was read three times and passed; it provides that city has power to arrest and fine dry law violators and assess fines from $100 to $1,000.

Wrecking of old Masonic building on corner of South High and First South streets has begun; as soon as debris is cleared away, construction of new Masonic temple will begin at same site; after this building and Corinthian Baptist Church are completed, last visible results of cyclone of March 11 will have disappeared.