LOOKING BACK AT JACKSON

25 years ago: 1973

Proposal by city of Cape Girardeau to use unused portion of new Cape County Juvenile Home site as part of Indian Park and receipt of county's first federal disaster funds as reimbursement of losses during spring flooding were among items before County Court Thursday; letter from Cape Girardeau City Manager W.G. Lawley proposed that city prepare agreement to be entered into with county allowing city to assume upkeep on portion of site not being used to expand Indian Park, on south, and relinquish property upon notice of county.

Deadline for registering to vote in Nov. 4 Cape Girardeau County public health unit election is 5 p.m. Wednesday, says County Clerk Rusby C. Crites; in addition, Crites announces changes in two polling places for this election only; voters in Pecan Grove Precinct will ballot at Campster School and those in Byrd Township 5 and 6 will vote at Jackson Junior High School; proposal calls for tax of 10 cents per $100 assessed valuation of real and personal property to fund health unit.

Cape Girardeau County's total 1973 assessed valuation is $129,537,005, which will result in total of $5,943,748.21 in taxes, final proofing of tax books reveals.

Tentative plans for new county law enforcement complex call for building of about 18,620 square feet at cost of approximately $735,472.14, County Court revealed Monday; county officials have tentatively accepted from architect Thomas E. Phillips proposed space allocation and budget for construction of new facility; if accepted, plan would call for jail and related facilities, magistrate courtroom and offices, offices for county prosecuting attorney and public defenders, and a morgue.

Jackson voters will ballot Dec. 11 on $500,000 general obligation bond issue that would finance expansion of Lenco, Inc., plant.

50 years ago: 1948

Car owned by Louis Borchers of Gordonville, parked at corner of East Main Street, south of courthouse, Saturday night, started rolling backwards and hit manhole, which caused it to turn and crash into front of library; car was wedged in one of plate glass windows and tore entire front out of library.

So that she wouldn't break her record of not failing to vote in election since she became eligible, Mrs. Ollie W. Clippard, 79-years-old, was transported to polls Tuesday in ambulance; Clippard, Jackson resident for many years, was dismissed from hospital only last Friday following treatment for stroke of paralysis; she has been life-long Democrat.

Parking meters in Jackson went into effect Tuesday morning by ordinance adopted by City Council; Ernest Loos, supervisor of meters, and Walter E. Kasten, commissioner of streets, were deputized as city marshals in order that they may have power to make arrests.

Between 400 and 500 employees of shoe factory and hosiery mill were made idle Tuesday morning by lack of electrical power as result of bursting of motor block in main engine at municipal light and power plant; entire town was without electricity for 30 minutes; supplementary units were put into operation, but there was insufficient power to operate machinery of the two factories.

Marjorie Fluegge has accepted position as teacher of Arnsberg school and will begin her work Monday; Fluegge, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Fluegge, was teacher last year at Shawneetown; she replaces Julian Tuschhoff, who will go to Wellston on Monday to begin his new work with Soil Conservation Service.

75 years ago: 1923

At annual meeting of Farmers Mutual Benefit Association at Gordonville on Saturday, Bernhard Voshage of near Tilsit was re-elected as one of directors for period of three years; board organized after meeting by re-electing all officers: Voshage, president; Peter Hanschen, secretary, and Frank J. Sander, secretary; mutual fire insurance company has in force in this county policies covering property in total values of $3,507,200.

R.K. Wilson, former postmaster of Jackson, has purchased Missouri Cash-Book, local weekly newspaper.

Bessie Litzelfelner was passenger last Thursday on train that was wrecked near Hayti; she was uninjured; she had been to Caruthersville to attend Young People's Conference.

War Department has informed Mayor J.R. Bowman that Jackson has been located on airplane route being established in this part of country, and has asked that city participate in effort in number things; city has been asked to paint town's name on roof of prominent building here and arrange for landing field at least 400 yards long and 100 yards wide.

Paul Poe, who was injured in football game over week ago, is still seriously ill, but is said to be holding his own.