A LOOK BACK AT JACKSON

25 years ago, 1972

Jack W. Weith has been employed by city of Jackson as city engineer, effective July 3; he replaces Guy A. Lowes, who resigned to enter private engineering; Weith, native of Perryville, has been Jackson resident for three years; he is 44, a veteran, and holds a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering from Washington University in St. Louis; prior to his employment with city of Jackson, he worked for Fruin-Colnon Construction Co. in Jackson.

Cape Girardeau County Farm Bureau is now second largest county Farm Bureau unit in state, having topped its membership quota, reports Gilbert Meyr, chairman of membership committee.

Annexation proposal that would add 3,600 acres to city of Jackson will be presented to public by City Council next week; plan will be presented in special meeting July 17 in circuit courtroom of Cape Girardeau County Courthouse; plan hasn't been formally approved by council as whole, nor by City Planning and Zoning Commission and is still subject to change after public presentation.

Jackson R-2 board of Education has approved $2,649,886 budget for 1972-73 school year; budget anticipates expenditures of $325,501 in excess of income; this will be brought about mainly by use of funds on hand to complete construction of new elementary building.

50 years ago, 1947

W.O. Statler has been appointed to Jackson Public Library Board by City Council to fill vacancy caused by resignation of R.M. Buerkle; in other action, council appointed Henry A. Loos special police officer for three-month period.

Owls that annually nest in City Park have been heard this week for first time this year, indication of ther growth in nest in hollow of large sycamore tree on creek behind Dr. T.E. Ruff home; if nestlings follow their annual habitation, by end of month they will move to large oak, tulip and poplar trees farther east in park, where their cries during feeding period after dusk becomes disturbing at times; they are of small gray barred species and have numbered from five to seven in family.

Mr. and Mrs. Clarence E. Dambach have purchased farm of Edwin B. Schneider, east of Shawneetown near Buckeye School; Mr. and Mrs. Schneider recently acquired August Soehlig property of Greens Ferry Road in Jackson, but Tuesday sold that property to Mrs. Cloa Klobe, who will move there immediately; Schneiders plan to move from the farm this fall.

Conference on suggestion that movement be started for establishment of county health unit in Cape Girardeau County was held in Jackson Wednesday, with Chester G. Starr of Jefferson City, director of rural health services for Missouri Farm Bureau Federation, present; meeting was called by Cape Girardeau County Farm Bureau to get information on proposal and to get views of Cape Girardeau County Medical Society, which was represented at meeting; no decision was reached as to future procedure.

75 years ago, 1922

Tourist traffic is steadily increasing; it is nothing uncommon to see cars from five or six different states on streets of Jackson at same time; recently, most complete tourist outfit came through in shape of perfect home on wheels; car was fitted up with commodious sleeping quarters inside of weatherproof house, with windows, lace curtains and all; outfit came from Quincy, Mich.

It is rumored that J.H. Poe and A.W. Roloff will purchase all stock in McAtee Mercantile Co. from the associates, and will continue business under old name, after remodeling place of business and installing new fixtures and equipment.

County Board of Visitors met recently to map out work for summer and fall; meeting also resolved to take up proposition of establishing in county a Board of Social Welfare; this board is composed of three members, appointed by County Court, and three from each city in county, appointed by respective mayors; it will be duty of board to deal with social evil, and vice, and especially to look after wayward boys and girls.

Workers have begun to clear ground for excavating for new building house, which Schmuke estate is having erected next to post office; Kroeger interests of St. Louis will have long-term lease on building.