LOOKING BACK AT JACKSON

25 years ago: 1973

Speaking at annual Jackson Chamber of Commerce installation banquet Monday evening, Glenn E. Scott of Jefferson City, executive vice president of Missouri Chamber of Commerce, called upon chamber members to strive to protect free enterprise system Americans have experienced for nearly 200 years; he warns that system is being encroached upon "every day at every level of government" by those who would "change the system"; new president of Jackson group is Melvin Lichtenegger and vice president is Thurston Taggart.

Races, games and food join traditional fireworks display at annual Jackson Jaycee Fourth of July Picnic in Jackson City Park; activities will begin at 1 p.m. with events for all ages leading up to fireworks display at 9:30 p.m.

Area farmers have been granted additional two weeks to certify their 1973 planting and set-aside acreage; extension, from July 1 to July 13, was allowed because of late planting season; about percent of crops are now in, with corn far short of normal planting, but large acreage of soybeans planted.

Odene (Kaufman) Schaper, wife of Elmer R. Schaper, died June 27 at family home on Highway 25 South; Schaper, prominent Jackson realtor, was 54 years old; her husband farms in Gordonville area and served as Cape Girardeau County treasurer.

50 years ago: 1948

Grocery stock of Schaper Grocery was moved over weekend to new location on West Main Street; Monday business was opened in large supermarket where there are roomy quarters and free parking spaces; store will be self-service, cash and carry; new building was constructed this year by J.A. Schaper and his son, Bernard, and has 4,000 square feet of floor space.

At City Council meeting Monday night, two ordinances relative to parking and electric stop sign were passed, setting forth regulations for parking meters to be installed shortly and showing that violation of electric stop sign at intersection of South High and First South Street would be subject to fine of $5 to not more than $100.

County Court has delayed action on decision of holding school election at primary election, Aug. 3; petition of signatures presented court is being investigated; petition asks that $125,000 in school funds now in U.S. Treasury bonds be distributed among school districts of county according to enumeration.

Office equipment of Dr. J.L. Jenkins, dentist who practiced for more than 70 years in upstairs suite over business corner in Jackson, is being moved; Jenkins has given Jackson Exchange Bank lease of 99 years on building and lessee plans to remodel extensively; workers have been engaged to tear down building and make modern banking house.

Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Self of St. Louis have moved to Jackson; he is new conductor on Missouri Pacific branch line, having taken place of C.E. Post, who retired.

Body of Pfc. Willard C. Southard, son of Mr. and Mrs. J.C. Southard of near Jackson, arrived at Jackson Friday with military escort; remains will be buried Saturday with full military rites; he was killed in action on Luzon, Philippine Islands, Feb. 19, 1945, during attack when his company charged against heavily-armed squadron of Japanese who were sheltered in a creek.

75 years ago: 1923

Ben Kieninger has purchased from A.M. Vogel the creamery in Pocahontas and will operate plant himself; creamery is doing good business, and dairying is assuming larger proportions from year to year in hill country around Pocahontas; Vogel has accepted position as traveling salesman for St. Louis wholesale grocery house.

Track of Jackson branch railroad is again cleared and trains have resumed their regular schedule; wreck in which several cars of freight were derailed and turned over had barred passage of trains for day and night; crew on train out of Jackson was on duty continuously for 25 hours without sleep; no one was hurt in wreck.

Among progressive farmers in this county is August Kamp in Kinder Township; since taking charge of farm in 1892, when he came to this county from Kingdom of Bollinger, he has transformed tract; a field of 17 1/2 acres in 1892 yielded 190 bushels of wheat, of which about two thirds was "cheat"; this year, same field will yield 25 bushels of wheat to the acre; he has replaced old log cabin with comfortable cottage for a son and his family.

Mrs. Jack Sutton was overcome by heat Tuesday while mailing letter at post office; she was taken to her home and is getting along fairly well.

Mrs. August Illers and Mrs. Roxie Fullenwider have traded property; Illers home is for sale; Fullenwider will move to Cape Girardeau.