A LOOK BACK AT JACKSON

25 years ago, 1972

County courthouse flag pole now boasts both United States and Missouri flags, thanks to gift of state flag by Jackson Suburban Garden Club to Cape Girardeau County Court; fact that Missouri flag was not flown by county has been source of irritation to number of clubs in Jackson; recently, County Court agreed to fly state flag if someone would furnish it.

Vernon H. Landgraf of Cape Girardeau has been named new chairman of Cape Girardeau County Republican Central Committee, succeeding Raymond H. Vogel, who resigned last week; Landgraf, businessman and former candidate for Congress, was elected temporary county chairman and will serve until after August primary elections and until organizational meeting of GOP committeemen and committeewomen elected in August is held.

Jackson R-2 School District officials have learned that remaining brick for new elementary school should be available to contractor by June 1; this means that school should be occupied by Oct. 1; two weeks ago it was reported there might be as much as five-month delay in getting all brick necessary to finish construction of school; district is purchasing brick for building through Kasten Clay Products Co., but the particular brick being used on school is made in Texas.

50 years ago, 1947

Amanda Fatchett has moved to house of Minnie Oberbeck, formerly the Bast property; Fatchett and son, Charles, have been living in apartment at home of Mr. and Mrs. Rudy Villhart, which will be occupied presently by Lydia Brame, sister of Mrs. Villhart.

Woodland, pretentious home of Mr. and Mrs. R.M. McCombs, is showing first signs of its spring glory, a valley of Sweet Williams; year after year, townspeople have watched with owners the scattering of plants by nature in the wood lawn and this year number of flowers is largest ever; woodland affords nesting place for every kind of song bird common to this locality, the cardinal having taken particular liking to site.

Realty company, headed by Sam Werber, has completed purchase of present Dorsa dress factory building in Jackson from the dozen H.H. Mueller family heirs; company already owned an adjoining lot; revenue stamps indicate building price as $24,500.

American flag is again flying in courthouse yard as man climbed pole recently to repair hook at top, broken two months ago by vandals; man climbing pole used a safety device; work took only 30 minutes and was authorized by County Court; Boyd Bros. of Cape Girardeau had charge of work.

About 150 teen-agers were present for opening of snack bar at Hotel Jackson Thursday night; Champ Gilliland's orchestra played for dancing; bar for soft drinks and sandwiches will be open each afternoon after school and at night on featured occasions.

75 years ago, 1922

Christ Willa has purchased from Pink Niswonger old City Hotel on West Main Street, and will take possession of it in few days; Niswsonger has taken position with Goodwin & Jean poultry plant, and has purchased home in West Jackson, in Fulenwider Addition.

William Wolfenkoehler, old resident of Byrds Creek neighborhood, died May 22 at home of his son Henry, at age 79 years, 11 months and 8 days; John Henry William Wolfenkoehler was born in Aschendorf, State of Hanover, Germany, on June 26, 1842, and came to United States with his mother late in 1856; family came direct to this county, and deceased grew to manhood in vicinity of where he died; he was married to Caroline Heider, and two operated very successful farm on Byrds Creek for years; Mrs. Wolfenkoehler died several years; three children survive: Henry, William of Gary, Okla., and Louis of Liberal, Kansas.

F.A. Obermiller of Tulsa, Okla., formerly resident of Jackson, is again in his native city, and expects to make it his permanent home.

A.F. Lorberg has begun to move Grand Army of the Republic and I.O.O.F. hall from its present location on county property to west part of lot 61 on West First North Street; it is big job, and will require several days, although distance is less than a block; hall was built in year 1888 by G.A.R. and Oddfellows, but both organizations have since ceased to keep up their lodge rooms, and building has been converted into flats.