A LOOK BACK AT JACKSON

25 years ago, 1972

Revenue totaling $5,589,802 is to be collected from Cape Girardeau County taxpayers who are receiving their property tax bills this week, says County Collector Harold D. Kuehle; amount is to be raised on total assessed valuation of $121,663,109; abstract by County Clerk Rusby Crites shows schools will get lion's share of taxes collected by county, some $4,439,719.

As result of State College becoming Southeast Missouri State University, Cape Giardeau County Court now has authority to set speed limits on roads outside city limits of cities; court learned of its newly-acquired authority over speeds Monday morning in letter from Prosecuting Attorney A.J. Seyer; he explained that state law establishes speed limits at 65 during day and 60 miles per hour at night; however, counties with more than 125,000 population and counties in which state university is located may establish lower speed limits.

In relatively brief session Monday night, City Council moved to close Oak Street while sewer line is being laid, and future of city library was touched upon; in regard to library, City Attorney Kenneth Waldron reported that attorney general's opinions uphold his own opinion that Jackson won't be able to levy library tax on any land brought into city limits; under Missouri law, areas that might be annexed by Jackson would continue to be taxed by Riverside Regional Library but wouldn't pay city library tax.

50 years ago, 1947

Petition signed by property owners on Hollis Street in West Jackson granting permission for Charles F. Steck to building business building on lot owned by Milde G. Steck, was presented at Jackson City Council meeting monday night; Steck was granted permit for building, which will cost $3,000 and will be 25 by 60 feet; it will be used by Steck in tinning business.

American Telegraph & Telephone Co. is preparing to erect relay station on Ridge Road, east of Jackson near O.C. Litzelfelner dwelling; company has secured right of way easements for laying of underground cable through Cape Girardeau County; station will be about mid-way between Memphis and St. Louis.

Contract for improving 3.9 miles on Route F, Cape Girardeau County, by grading and surfacing, from Route Z south to Route A, has been awarded to Penzel Construction Co. of Jackson; cost of improvement, which includes engineering and contingencies, is about $25,491; new road will connect Poplar Ridge School community with Route A, north of Whitewater.

Mr. and Mrs. Pearl C. Thompson have purchased 89.19-acre farm in northern part of county from J.V. Priest and Harry McDowell, latter two having a partnership.

75 years ago, 1922

Brick walls of new shoe factory have reached considerable height, and work is progressing nicely; Jackson Real Estate Co., owner of factory building and site, is issuing stock already pledged, and funds needed for construction become available as building progresses.

Jackson is still suffering from lack of houses and rooms for rent; one family this week decided it would have to leave for some other town to get a home; building is going on, but not fast enough to accommodate those who want to come to Jackson and get settled before cold weather.

Herbert Boeller has moved into house on South High Street and Ollie English and his sister, Mrs. Nancy Baldwin, moved into house vacated by Boeller.

Great number of landowners, whose farms touch Kingshighway between Jackson and Old Appleton, were in Jackson Monday to appear before County Court with view of trying to adjust differences still existing and the obstacles in way of acquisition of needed right of way for highway improvement; as a rule, nearly all landowners are inclined to be reasonable about compensation, but there are exceptions; some landowners want more than 37 1/2 cents per rod for resetting fences, and won't relinquish right of way until 50 cents per rod is promised by County Court.