A LOOK BACK AT JACKSON

25 years ago, 1972

With only slightly more than half a month left, some 34.31 percent of taxes due this year have been collected, reports Cape Girardeau County Auditor H. Weldon Macke to County Court; Macke says 34.31 percent figure presents sharp increase, because only about 16 percent had been collected by Dec. 1.

Mayor Paul J. Leonard has asked City Council to give serious consideration to calling special election on city sales tax or face prospect of higher property taxes; in asking council to consider sales tax, Leonard described it as fair tax and source of needed revenue; there was no comment from council and no indication as to when issue might be brought to vote.

Dale Rauh, representing Municipal Band, appeared before Board of Aldermen and requested city loan of $20,000 for 10 years; money, he said, is needed to construct band shell in City Park; as proposed in rough plan, 60 by 52 feet area would be concreted and area 40 by 42 would be covered; Rauh said band has outgrown old bandstand on courthouse lawn; Park Board has approved site near corner of Union and Parkview streets for new band shell.

50 years ago, 1947

Two Jacksonians leaving Cape Girardeau when it began to snow Monday afternoon were three hours en route home and were then pushed by friend who was driving a jeep; two saw no less than 100 cars stalled; swift-falling snow caused tires to slip on all grades; one Jacksonian was 30 minutes traveling from intersection of Highways 25 and 61 to post office building; at grade school and high school, there was merry tangle of cars.

Bill Wilkening, student at University of Iowa at Iowa City, will arrive Saturday to spend Christmas with his mother, Mrs. A.C. Wilkening; Lynn Wilkening expects to go to Houston, Texas, next week where he will visit Mr. and Mrs. Clayton Wilkening; he will be accompanied by D.L. Miller who will visit relatives in Texas.

Christmas music played from courthouse belfry Friday afternoon and evening, providing holiday atmosphere for business district; Kamp & Short, electricians, were in charge of public address system; records were actually played in petit jury room.

75 years ago, 1922

Everybody who can acquire hogs are butchering these days; spare ribs, backbones and sausage are on menu each day.

Hazel Mileham is spending part of holidays in Jackson with friends; Mileham was former teacher in local schools; she now teaches in Springfield.

Mrs. A.B. Gockel and children have moved to this city for residence, while Mr. Gockel is traveling; he has job with an eastern firm; Mrs. Gockel has rooms with her mother, Mrs. Lulu Helmkampf.

Lee Morris "Dick" Hoffmeister is at home for 10 days; his company has contract to play at Orpheum Theater at Cape Girardeau for several nights.

Ambulance was brought over from Cape Girardeau Monday and took Ed Hyde to hospital at Cape Girardeau for treatment; he had leg broken last week near Burfordville while at work; he follows business of blasting stumps.