A LOOK BACK AT JACKSON

25 years ago, 1972

Law enforcement agencies throughout Southeast Missouri are looking for Cape Girardeau County prisoner who apparently walked away from county jail early Tuesday night; Sheriff Ivan E. McLain said 24-year-old escapee was being held on charges of breaking and entering and parole violation.

Realignment of Cape Girardeau County Court districts was discussed briefly by court Thursday, along with special voter registration day at State College, appointment of special road district commissioner and trends in county budge percentages; County Clerk Rusby C. Crites advised court to be thinking of realignment of voter precincts in Cape Girardeau plus reapportionment of county court districts as result of 1970 census.

Cape Girardeau County Court has given its approval for purchase of radio equipment which will provide two-way communication between highway patrol and sheriff's department cars; system will cost estimated $2,683, of which about $670 will be local funds and balance federal funds through Law Enforcement Assistance Council.

Bids will be opened by Jackson City Council March 6 for two new electrical generating units that are part of electric expansion program; council wants two engines, each with capacity of from 4,400 to 6,500 kilowatts, plus accessories and a cooling tower capable of handling new engines plus generators already in service.

50 years ago, 1947

Joseph E. Schmuke, 76, former mayor of Jackson and former county officer, and for many years businessman here, died Feb. 3 at hospital in Cape Girardeau; he had been in failing health for a year; Schmuke was born March 16, 1870, at Jackson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph M. Schmuke; he was educated in Jackson Catholic School and St. Vincent's College at Cape Girardeau; in 1902 he married Philomene Dempsey; following her death in 1903, he married Mary Hunter of New Madrid in 1909 and she survives; he was postmaster in Jackson from 1895 to 1897 and also served as circuit clerk and recorder; his administration as mayor from 1927 to 1931 saw town progress in street building as many of concrete streets were laid during that time; one of major projects during his tenure was construction of shoe factory here; besides his wife, he is survived by seven daughters.

Budget of $202,500.46 for calendar year has been approved by county court, including for first time projected expenditures for road purposes; excluding road expenditures, which heretofore weren't required to be listed, budget this year will exceed that of 1946 by $17,012.61.

Honoring Jessie Harris on her 40th anniversary as teacher in Jackson elementary School, more than 400 persons were at school Wednesday night for program; Harris is completing 43 years as a teacher, having joined Jackson faculty in 1907 and all but eight years have been as teacher of fifth grade; she has taught number of families to the second generation; in one family, she taught nine boys, in another seven girls.

Edith Seabaugh of Jackson won county American Legion oratorical contest against competitors from Cape Girardeau's Central High School and College High; she will compete next Friday night at college's Little Theater against contestants from other counties of 14th American Legion district.

75 years ago, 1922

Thirty-six head of Poland China hogs, property of W.F. Schade, J.W. Green and J.A. Keller, were disposed of at sale held Wednesday in Jackson; all hogs were sold to Cape Girardeau County farmers; hogs averaged in price $33.60; large crowd attended sale; auctioneer was N.D. Browning, who replaced Ste. Genevieve auctioneer, who got stuck in mud on road and couldn't make it to city.

Real estate deals are becoming more numerous in county after period of practical inactivity; John Cracroft sold his farm to three of his neighbors this week; Henry Puchbauer sold 126 acres of his farm to his son, Arthur C. Puchbauer, and one of his other sons bought from Henry A. Koehler what is known as old Henry Koehler farm northwest of Jackson.

Monthly session of City Council was uneventful; only item of note was appearance of two doctors who asked council to appropriate $250 for support of Full County Health Unit; by unanimous vote, council decided not to make appropriation, unless majority of merchants, businessmen and others who pay occupation tax petition council to do so; council members feel they have no right to make appropriation unless public asks by petition that it be done.

Sperling & Puls have purchased from Reinhart Zschille and wife dwelling house and adjacent lot on West First North Street; it is intention to move former Grand Army and Odd Fellows hall, now standing on lot recently purchased by county, to the vacant lot, and convert it into flats.