A LOOK BACK AT JACKSON

25 years ago: 1973

Kevin Wagner, son of Mr. and Mrs. Roland Wagner of Jackson, has been called by First Presidency of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to serve as missionary in California south mission; after week of orientation at Missionary Home in Salt Lake City, Utah, he will depart for mission headquarters in Anaheim, Calif., Nov. 29; Wagner is junior at Brigham Young University majoring in electrical engineering.

Following offer Monday of still another site for proposed Cape Girardeau County law enforcement complex, it now appears presiding judge of County Court will cast decisive vote on controversial location when court votes on question next week; latest offer, six-acre tract abutting Highway 61 North and Route D in north Jackson, was presented by R.A. Fulenwider, chairman of Jackson Industrial Development Board, which owns land; question of where to build complex is beginning to be one of whether it should remain in Jackson or be moved to Cape Girardeau.

Jackson and Cape Girardeau chambers of commerce will meet early in January with Missouri Highway Department District 10 officials at Sikeston to discuss reopening of hearings on proposed Highway 72 relocation around Jackson; meeting is result of effort by chambers to reopen hearings on practically-abandoned relocation proposal.

With thermometer in county courthouse cut back to 68 degrees, employees will have to find different method of keeping warm than through use of electric space heaters -- purchased at county's expense; County Court Monday declined to approve payment of $44.98 for purchase of two heaters -- one in circuit clerk's office and other in assessor's office; in rejecting vouchers, court said it would defeat purpose of conserving energy.

Special advisory committee's recommendation to raise from 18 to 20 minimum number of study units necessary for high school graduation was adopted by Jackson R-2 Board of Education Tuesday night.

50 years ago: 1948

Three hunters from Jackson narrowly escaped drowning Saturday afternoon when their boat capsized in river off point of Cape Rock, north of Cape Girardeau; three were William J. Wolters, Howard Meehan and Kenneth Wagner; brisk wind started when hunters were near mid-stream after being in blind on sandbar, and riding waves for a time, boat capsized; two valuable guns were lost, with third gun being secured to side of boat, and it was later retrieved; three had time to strap on their life preservers, but were in water nearly an hour before being picked up by Cape Fleet, members of which went to their rescue after 11-year-old boy on Cape Rock heard their cries and told his father.

Jackson Choral Club, in combination with several church choirs of Jackson, under direction of LeRoy Mason, are preparing for second annual Christmas cantata, to be held in grade school auditorium Dec. 19; so that no one will be turned away for lack of seating as was case last year, there will be two performances, one in afternoon and another in evening.

Jackson Public Library is practically moved to new basement quarters, according to librarian, Bess Litzelfelner; it is hoped to have the 10,250 books and all equipment in place by Friday.

Approval was given at county-wide meeting here Tuesday night to take steps necessary for formation of Cape Girardeau County Advisory Health Council, but organization of body was delayed pending presentation of facts to Cape Girardeau County Medical Association at its January meeting.

Melvin Lichtenegger has been elected president of Jackson Chamber of Commerce; vice president is Glenn R. Luetje and secretary-treasurer is Roy Savers.

75 years ago: 1923

From all parts of county come complaints that property rights aren't fully respected by hunters, and they enter enclosures without consent of persons owning property; there seems to be impression that hunting license entitles holder to hunt anywhere he pleases; so far this year, county clerk's office has issued 1,557 resident hunting licenses, and more applications are coming in every day.

Mr. and Mrs. J.H. Day are new residents of Jackson, occupying Isbell property which they recently purchased on First South Street; they had sale of personal property this week, and then retired from farm just south of Jackson.

Committee recently appointed by Mayor J.R. Bowman to locate site for landing of airplanes in or near Jackson has chosen bottom field of Mrs. M.P. Kirksey, just north of city on Zenon River, as possible location for landing place and hangars; report of committee will be submitted to mayor and council next Monday night.

Everett Gregory has purchased battery business and filling station on west side of public square from Cooper Lape, and has taken possession of business.

New steel book shelves were recently installed in vault in county recorder's office; land transfer business in county has doubled in last 10 years, and is still growing; there isn't so much movement of real estate in rural districts, but city property is being bartered all the time; most of business, at least 80 percent, comes from Cape Girardeau.

New Hotel Jackson opened Monday night; large crowd attended opening ceremony and banquet spread by new proprietor, Mrs. Gus Goyert.