A LOOK BACK AT JACKSON

25 years ago, 1972

When Cape Girardeau County moves into planning and zoning program -- County Court has said it will name planning commission after first of the year -- program will be undertaken in light of political realities; and most immediate reality is slim margin by which program passed in general election; if 100 voters had changed their minds, planning and zoning would have been defeated.

Otto H. Koenig, 69, teacher and librarian who built Riverside Regional Library to its present status in Perry, Cape Girardeau and Scott counties, died Dec. 7 at Mountain Home, Ark.; Koenig was associated with Jackson regional library for 16 years, moving to Mountain Home last June after retiring in 1971; he resided at Gordonville prior to that time.

Cape Girardeau, Cape Girardeau County and, presumably, other municipalities within county, received their first checks under five-year federal revenue-sharing program Monday; Cape Girardeau's check was in amount of $191,704; county's was for $110,916; only plan for use of county's money that has been made by County Court to date is for construction of new juvenile detention home.

Eight city employees were honored for various lengths of service Monday at annual Christmas party at Legion Hall; city recognized two employees who retired during past year, Policeman Leo Borgfield and Fireman W. Emde; four employees received honors for 15 years of service, Leroy Abernathy, Robert Clifton, Albert W. Lacy and Alvin Clingingsmith; receiving 10-year award was Robert Green Jr., and Robert W. Peel received 5-year award.

50 years ago, 1947

County Court has decided it will suggest to State Highway Department that farm-to-market road, Route A, running westward through Whitewater, be put back on list for immediate consideration; involved in building road will be construction of new bridge over Whitewater Creek to replace present one erected 67 years ago; residents of area fear that span is unsafe for the heavy traffic it bears.

Further plans for organization of another Boy Scout troop in Jackson have been made by Evangelical Brotherhood; Raymond Willer was named scoutmaster and will be assisted by Roy Woeltje and Martin E. Piepenbrok.

Excavation work has begun on basement of new Memorial Library, funds for which were recently appropriated by Jackson City Council; council, in authorizing construction of part of library building, appropriated $10,000 for the purpose; basement will be finished and roof placed atop it as temporary measure until further funds are advanced for completion of structure.

Brickmasons began laying brick at Schaper Super Market on West Main Street this week; $15,000 building is being put up by J.A. Schaper; both this building and new public library building are being erected by Penzel Construction Co.

Mr. and Mrs. B.B. Schade have rented Sgt. Henry Reynolds house in West Jackson and will presently occupy the dwelling; Mrs. Reynolds and son plan to join Reynolds at Lowery Field, Denver., Colo., since his re-enlistment.

75 years ago, 1922

Tom Ernest Steinhoff, young son of Mr. and Mrs. Hy Steinhoff, is slowly improving from 10-day siege of pneumonia; he was in critical condition part of the time.

Percy Poe is on crutches with badly injured ankle from playing in game of basketball and falling over another player; he is suffering considerably.

Dr. E.R. Schoen of Gordonville has purchased Trickey home on North Second East Street and will move to this city for permanent residence.

Lindenwood College girls of Jackson will get home next Saturday for holidays; those attending school from this town are Margaret Boss, Elizabeth Miltenberger, Virginia Litzelfelner and Marguerite Bowman.

Frank Heuschober has gone to Arizona for winter because of throat and lung trouble.

C.C. Hearne has moved his family into brick bungalow in West Jackson, which was vacated by Sikes Rodgers and family.