A LOOK BACK AT JACKSON

25 years ago, 1973

Time was when Southeast Missouri dairymen, requiring good bulls to improve their herds, imported studs from Wisconsin; Cape Girardeau County scored a first recently when registered Holstein was sold to breeders cooperative in Wisconsin; 2,685-pound bull was raised as joint venture by Macke-Hager Farm near Gordonville and Hobb's Haven Farm near Mayfield, Ky.

May 1 is date set by Cape Girardeau County Public Water Supply District No. 1 for special election at which district voters will decide fate of $180,000 bond issue to finance proposed eastward extension of district's mains; proposed expansion would provide for extension for district's existing water mains near Fruitland, east along Highway 177 to area of Charmin Paper Products Plant and on certain lateral roads.

Tax levy for next year and 1973-74 school calendar were approved at meeting of Jackson R-2 School District Board of Education Tuesday night; there are no changes from this year in number of school days or tax levy; board approved 185-day calendar to begin Aug. 24 and end May 30 and $3.60 per $100 assessed valuation levy.

50 years ago, 1948

Mr. and Mrs. Martin H. Wagner have been informed by their son, Martin H. Wagner Jr., that he sailed from New York first of this week for Columbia in South America as member of Merchant Marines; he is aboard Coast Conqueror, fruit company ship and is serving four years with company; he was in Havana most of winter.

Coal companies are again doling out coal in order to accommodate chilled home owners and to make supply last as long as possible; cold wave which hit Jackson Wednesday night gave coal company telephones a siege; dividing coal entails much expense and is troublesome operation for dealers with only small amounts delivered at a time.

Supt. R.O. Hawkins has received word that there may be money from state department of education available to reimburse salary of one person for operating school cannery again this year; this added remuneration will make it possible for cannery to operate without loss, and Board of Education has decided to operate cannery during heavy canning season; program had been dropped for year as it was believed funds wouldn't be available.

In spring city election, set for April 6, voters will pass on 10-cent per $100 valuation proposition for park maintenance fund; Jackson hasn't had park tax before; petitions are being circulated to put measure on ballot.

Mr. and Mrs. John Dalton and sons have moved into their new dwelling on South High Street; after some interior decorating of house they vacated, Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Brase and baby will move there; Dalton is government meat inspector with headquarters in St. Louis.

75 years ago, 1923

The Rev. J.C. Hines was installed as new pastor of Jackson Presbyterian Church last Sunday; the Rev. C.I. Morton of Cape Girardeau preached sermon and delivered charge to pastor; I.A. Smith of Cape Girardeau delivered charge to congregation; large crowd came out for this special service, which seemed to be very much enjoyed by all present; Hines came to Jackson from Texas.

Prosecuting Attorney Frank Hines has purchased house on North High Street, in which he lives, from heirs of late Mrs. W.H. Miller, paying $2,750.

Harriet, 5-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Adolph Kies, living south of town, was seriously hurt while standing in yard of their home Friday; strong wind blew decayed limb from tree, striking child in back of head and cutting large gash; she was brought to town to home of her grandfather, Dr. G.W. Vinyard; she was in semi-conscious condition for several hours; child was greatly weakened by loss of blood and is being kept at home of Vinyard.

Tornado swept through business section of Jackson early Sunday night, March 11, 1923, seriously injuring Mrs. Charles F. Brennecke and doing estimated $100,000 damage; demolished by furious winds were Episcopal Church, Corinthian Baptist Church, Masonic Hall, and homes of Mrs. Sutton, Henry Dalton and Frank Medley; leaving Jackson, storm continued on its northeasterly course, wrecking barns and outbuildings on farms in that direction; larger monuments in old cemetery were torn down by storm's fury, and all ornamental trees were demolished; wires on telephone and telegraph poles were twisted, and communication in town was impossible for several hours.