A LOOK BACK AT JACKSON

25 years ago, 1972

Fire destroyed 325 chickens and two brooder houses Friday on Edwin Amelunke farm, Jackson Route 2, but action of state highway patrolman prevented flames from spreading to another building; blaze was spotted shortly after midnight by Trooper Bill Adams of Jackson while he was driving along Highway 72; he rushed into Amelunke home to awaken family; he also summoned Cape Girardeau County Civil Defense fire-fighting unit; farm is located just northwest of Jackson.

One-Step Program of Jackson Community Betterment Association, initiated last week, is off to good start with four firms planning major improvements heading One-Step Certificate of Recommendation Roll; Jackson Retail Drugs plans to enclose back part of store and plant flowers, put down new carpet in front of store, build new steps for rear entrance and new sign on back of store; Winco Variety is in process of complete remodeling; Cracraft-Miller Furniture plans backdrops for its show windows; and Jackson Ready Mix is painting its signs and plant.

Liability insurance for Jackson R-II School employees was extended to all regular employees by board of education at its meeting Tuesday; matter was brought up when it was noted that liability coverage for teachers hadn't been included in insurance bid specifications this year; in past district has provided liability coverage for teachers.

50 years ago, 1947

George W. Miller farm of 162 acres at Millersville has been purchased by Dale Miller of Millersville from heirs of George Miller; members of family here to complete transaction were Mr. and Mrs. George Miller and Mr. and Mrs. Hardin Crowe of Dexter.

Harold Gus Bollinger went to Pine Bluff, Ark., Sunday to report Monday to St. Louis Browns' baseball tryout camp; before his enlistment into military service where he served more than a year, he was with Browns' farm club in Ohio; he is working at shortstop position; his parents are Mr. and Mrs. Henry Bollinger.

Six farmers living approximately two miles south of Jackson granted right-of-way easements to Missouri Utilities Co.; right-of-way is for erection of poles to carry power high line to area; those giving easements were Andrew D. Kinder for eight poles on east portion of farm, John M.C. Kasten for six poles placed with 25 feet of county road, Willie F. Meier for 17 poles, Alvin H. Voges for 13 poles, 10 poles to be on fence line on north boundary and three across land to service the house, and Earl Voges for three poles.

Paul J. Leonard, manager of Absogood Packing Co., has filed as candidate for mayor of Jackson.

75 years ago, 1922

Robert Lee Caldwell of Cape Girardeau, horticulturist, is in Jackson at present, looking over trees, bushes and plants for his patrons.

On high land, the ground has sufficiently dried out to permit cultivating, and field work has begun in earnest; sowing of oats being first spring work, that part of it is being pushed with all vigor, and good deal of ground will be worked too wet, as is usually the case when season has advanced like it has this year before ground gets dry enough; planting of potatoes is also going on, but in many cases ground is being ruined by cultivating too wet.

Workers began Monday on job of installing 1,000-candle-power light on pinnacle of dome of courthouse; this light will be enclosed in a reflector, which is to serve double purpose: First to distribute rays of light downward instead of heavenward, and secondly, to protect it from collisions with migratory birds, which blinded by light might strike it in their flight.

Pentecostal people are holding meetings each night in McGuire building, now owned by C.H. Wolter, and crowds are increasing from night to night; they began last Monday night, and this is first time this denomination has ever held meetings in Jackson.