LOOKING BACK AT JACKSON

25 years ago: 1973

Cape Girardeau County's proposed law enforcement complex won't be built on controversial north lawn of county courthouse, but if one County Court judge has his way, it won't be built on one of other two sites under consideration either; Associate Judge J. Ronald Fischer of Cape Girardeau says he believes new facility should be built on county farm property between Cape Girardeau and Jackson.

County employees will be little colder and driving little slower this winter because of action of County Court; in keeping with President Richard Nixon's suggestions to help ease energy crisis, court has ordered that thermostats in county buildings be turned back to 68 degrees and kept there, and that county vehicles not exceed speeds of 50 miles per hour.

Three members of Jackson Police Department and Chief David M. Gellatly appeared before City Council during committee meetings Monday night to request pay increase based upon longevity and education; request, first formal proposal ever presented by department, ranges from starting pay of $565 per month for high school graduate -- $40 more than it is now -- to $1,180 per month for officer with masters degree in law enforcement who has been with department 10 years.

Fewer Jackson R-2 School District pupils will be riding school buses to activities away from school remainder of year, fewer lights will be burning in school buildings and thermostats will be turned back in attempt to conserve energy; Dr. Frank A. Wiley, school superintendent, outlined new energy-saving policy to school board Tuesday night; under plan, only one bus will go to school-related activities away from her.

50 years ago: 1948

City street workers began work of painting parking spaces in Jackson Monday morning; Main Street was marked by 24 nail kegs while work was in progress; white paint is being used for all spaces, except on fireplug zones, where yellow paint is placed on curbing.

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Wright have moved to Sam Vinyard dwelling in East Jackson, while Mr. and Mrs. Vinyard have moved to Patton Junction, where he purchased feed and seed business.

Armistice Day Thursday was observed in Jackson by suspending business; offices of courthouse were also closed; day was set aside by Chamber of Commerce as holiday.

Financial statement of 24th annual Homecomers celebration was issued by Burton Short, chairman, showing net profit of $2,264.11, which was $613.09 more than last year and largest amount realized on any recent Homecomers.

Preparations have been made to move Public Library Monday to its new building; workers poured concrete retaining wall Wednesday, last of the major work to be done on new structure; library is operating at present through back door, as front was boarded up after car crashed into front of building on Oct. 31.

75 years ago: 1923

Otto Friedrick's home, just outside city limits on north, caught fire Wednesday night; before 1,000 feet of hose could be placed in position by fire department, blaze had such headway that house was doomed; meanwhile, most of contents of dwelling was saved; nearby barn was ignited by falling embers, but that fire was quickly extinguished as was that of small out building in rear of dwelling.

Guy Hansel and family have moved from Fruitland to Jackson and are occupying part of house with Mr. and Mrs. J.W. Trickey; Hansel is employed in Cape Girardeau as carpenter.

Approximately $2,000 will be spent by County Court for wire to fence new right-of-way for state primary highway west of Jackson in this county; right-of-way through private property over which main thoroughfare is to pass has been obtained by court and, where land was donated by property owner, court will erect fence at county's expense; where land was condemned, property owner must pay for fence.

Paul, son of Mr. and Mrs. Herman Soehlig, had his left leg broken in football practice game at Jackson public school athletic field Friday.

M.O. Stacy went to St. Louis this week to purchase office fixtures, electric signs and other items for new Jackson Hotel, which has been leased by owners, Stack & Mabrey, to Gus Goyert, formerly of Jackson; Mr. and Mrs. Goyert will take charge of hostelry next week, when new furniture will have been installed; building has been remodeled and renovated from basement to roof since fire on April 1.

Lutheran congregation of Hanover has let contract for construction of new parochial school house at its church; Will Savers of Jackson was successful bidder.