A LOOK BACK AT JACKSON

25 years ago, 1972

Elden S. Selves of Kennett, 1946 graduate of Jackson High School, delivered address at commencement exercises of Jackson High in school's gymnasium; there are 191 members of 1972 graduating class, with 13 graduating after first semester; Selves taught school in Kennett from 1950 to 1953; he then became associated with accounting firm of Kraft, Miles and Tatum, and in 1968 he joined Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Co.; Selves was appointed administrator of Dunklin County Memorial Hospital in Kennett in 1970, and hospital is in process of completing $2 1/2 million building and renovation program.

Officers for 1972-73 Chamber of Commerce year were elected recently and certificates were presented to 31 business participants in Community Betterment One-Step Program; to be installed during June meeting of chamber will be Warren Wilson, president; Dale Myers, vice president; Virgil Whitener, treasurer, and Dorothy Illers, secretary.

For second time in as many days, automobile windshield has been shattered -- with driver narrowly escaping serious injury -- by object tossed from another vehicle; Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Department and officials of Jackson R-2 School district are investigating incident in which soft drink bottle was thrown from school bus into windshield of car; Monday a woman reported that balloon filled with water was thrown against windshield of her car from automobile in which young people were riding; balloon shattered windshield, spreading glass and water throughout out interior of car; driver suffered minor facial cuts.

Two Cape Girardeau County public water supply districts have projects underway, one to establish initial water system and other hoping to expand its service; Public Water Supply District No. 3, which includes Gordonville and Dutchtown, has submitted final plans to Farmers Home Administration for approval and hopes to be able to vote construction bonds in near future; Public Water Supply District No. 1, which runs from Fruitland to Longtown, has initiated study of feasibility of extending service eastward from Fruitland along Highway 177.

50 years ago, 1947

Meyer farm west of Jackson, purchased first of last week by Harry McDowell from Robert Meyer of Cape Girardeau, has been sold again, this time to Leroy Buckner and Max Blitstein of Cape Girardeau; 182.17-acre farm is known as G.W.Cobble place, and is west of Roberts School.

After two years of work to accumulate $2,310.39, 73 seniors and faculty sponsors are in New Orleans, enjoying week-long educational tour planned by a travel bureau; class staged two plays during their junior and senior years, and sold concessions at various school functions to raise funds.

By unanimous vote of City Council, following motion of R.H. Wilson, alderman of third ward, Jackson won't go on daylight saving time; petition of 82 signers had been presented to council ask for change in keeping with neighboring towns.

Deed conveying two lots in Jackson to Roy Bollinger has been filed by Jackson School District in recorder's office; Bollinger was high bidder for Lincoln School building and grounds, at $1,100; his plan for building is to convert it into apartment.

75 years ago, 1922

Colonel L.M. Bean claims honor of having for his noon repast Thursday first home-grown potatoes of 1922 crop; spuds were size of egg and are of Cobbler variety; they were planted just 60 days ago.

Gerhardt Construction Co. of Cape Girardeau has begun erection of new almshouse on County Farm under contract made with County Court a few weeks ago; old barracks which had served as living quarters for inmates of farm have been wrecked to make way for new structure; while building is in progress, inmates dwell in temporary quarters in brick building, erected years ago for confinement of the insane; new building will present striking appearance, calling to mind a hacienda with its squatty, one-story, wide-roofed and rambling proportions; it will be one of show places along Kingshighway.

Henry "Joe" Bauer has about completed deal whereby he sells Sawyer property on Green's Ferry Road, and gets in exchange valuable piece of property in Cape Girardeau, paying the difference.

Decoration Day, or Memorial Day, will very likely pass unnoticed in Jackson, no preparations for any public celebration having been made; formerly, Woodmen Lodge observed day on Sunday nearest May 30, but lodge has also dropped observance.

Jackson is soon to have another physician in person of Dr. Dayton Seabaugh of Millersville, who intends to locate here.