A LOOK BACK AT JACKSON

25 years ago, 1972

Wheels are again rolling for new juvenile detention facility to serve Cape Girardeau and Bollinger counties; County Court has learned from Associated Judge J. Ronald Fischer that chances are very good that county could get new detention home to replace badly-deteriorating facility in Cape Girardeau; federal funds amounting to 75 percent of total cost of proposed facility are definitely available.

Sam Swan of Pocahontas has begun new duties as University of Missouri Extension Division regional youth agent in four northwest Missouri counties; Cape Girardeau County native, Swan was active in 4-H club work and returned last year from Ceylon where he spent six months in International Farm Youth exchange program; upon his return he was speech and English teacher at Notre Dame High School in Cape Girardeau.

Action has been taken by Jackson R-2 Board of Education on remodeling three rooms in central elementary building for a cafeteria and on renewal of depository agreements with two Jackson banks; board also adopted disaster plan for school buildings; board still plans to go ahead with creation of cafeteria in central elementary building, but its original thinking on matter has turned out more expensive than anticipated; large room that would be created by combining three classrooms on east side of building would permit lunch to be served there; elementary pupils wouldn't have to go to high school for lunch.

50 years ago, 1947

County highway engineer R.R. Bedwell in making his May report to County Court showed that during 31 days 1,541 yards of gravel were hauled on roads in districts 1 and 2; there were 976 yards hauled to District 1 and 565 yards to 2; Bedwell used eight men and seven trucks; gravel was taken at two places, east of New Wells on Blue Shawnee and on Indian Creek at George Farrow place.

The Rev. W. Keisker, pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church, is occupying a trailer mission this week for services at Knoxall; he and the Rev. W. Weis of Sikeston are ministers assigned for the work; each minister in district will take his turn as trailer mission is carried on.

Clarence C. Schade has returned from markets, where he placed orders for men's store he will open in Jackson; merchandise will begin arriving soon and by Aug. 1 Schade expects to have store open.

Large crowd assembled on courthouse lawn Thursday night to hear band concert; it was second concert for season, but first warm night; LeRoy F. Mason, director, was in charge.

Concrete pouring for six-room ranch type house Mr. and Mrs. W. Shelby Brown are building in West Jackson has been finished and carpenters will begin frame work immediately; Elbert Masters is contractor; house is located on south of the Brown home, and will be for sale when completed.

75 years ago, 1922

Bee keepers of Cape Girardeau County met at Jackson under auspices of Farm Bureau and at request of Professor A.C. Burrill, state entomologist of bureau of agriculture at Columbia, for purpose of organizing Cape Girardeau Bee keepers Association; Burrill, together with Farm Agent C.C. Hearne and apprentice Frank Stoner, have just concluded three-day round of county, holding demonstrations and lectures.

Dr. D. Seabaugh of Millersville has purchased dwelling on First North Street from Dr. and Mrs. J.J. Mayfield, and will come to Jackson to practice medicine.

From proceedings of City Council, at its last meeting, it can be seen that council has determined to collect delinquent poll taxes, which were levied for first time last year, and which many have refused to pay; suit has been ordered against all delinquents.

Mrs. Marguerite Stephens-Anderson of Plainfield, N.J., recently wrote to county recorder, asking for copy of marriage certificate of Peter Massie to Charlotte Rodney; Anderson is descendant of Massie, and is entitled to membership in D.A.R. by virtue of such descendency; recorder found document; marriage occurred at Cape Girardeau on March 3, 1814, and John H. Madison, justice of peace, officiated.