LOOKING BACK AT JACKSON

25 years ago: 1973

Five-year effort by Missouri Association of Counties to do away with red tape that counties have been forced to go through to receive County Aid Road Trust funds from state has been successful, Cape Girardeau County Court learned Thursday; Paul F. Dow, executive director of association, informed court that Cape Girardeau County -- like all second, third and fourth-class counties in state -- will receive its entire balance of CART funds by Oct. 10; this will amount to between $23,000 and $30,000.

City of Jackson has begun preliminary work on installation of parking meters on its two uptown parking lots; 67 parking meters are to be installed on expanded parking lot on west side of South High and 32 on recently-paved lot on east side of South High; city employees are doing work.

Proposed county health unit election and possibility of establishing office in courthouse here for county prosecuting attorney were among topics discussed Monday by Cape Girardeau County Court; noting that he had received telephone calls over weekend inquiring about proposed special election on health unit Oct. 23, County Clerk Rusby Crites brought matter to court's attention; Crites pointed out that pamphlets are being circulated to urge voters to support proposal at special election Oct. 23, but court hasn't yet declared that date for election.

Declining enrollments in outlying schools of Jackson R-2 School District has prompted Board of Education to request report from superintendent of schools showing actual cost of operating these five schools; enrollment in outlying schools dropped 121 pupils this year; there has been decrease in enrollment in each of schools, which are at Gordonville, Burfordville, Millersville, Fruitland and Pocahontas.

50 years ago: 1948

The 24th annual Jackson Homecomers reunion ended Saturday night after five days of merriment; climaxing closing hours of one of largest gatherings in history of organization was address by Murray E. Thompson, Republican candidate for governor, before more than 15,000 persons.

County Court on Tuesday ordered liquidation of county capital school fund which had been converted into cash for purpose of making distribution according to recent election; distribution order was made at request of County Treasurer, and total liquidation fund was $129,430.70.

Jackson High School football season will open Sept. 17, when opposing team will be here from Houston, Mo.; Jackson Indians will play Cape Girardeau Central Tigers at Jackson on Oct. 27.

Mrs. Bertha Puchbauer has returned to her residence in Jackson to spend winter; she spent summer on her farm northwest of Jackson, which will be managed now by her son and daughter-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Victor L. Puchbauer, who returned this week following their honeymoon in Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska.

Mr. and Mrs. August Schwark have moved their household goods to Indianapolis, Ind., where he will be teacher in Calvary Lutheran School; couple occupied house owned by W.A. Kasten near St. Paul Lutheran Church and now occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Frank Hecht.

75 years ago: 1923

Both Jackson high school and grammar school started off with record enrollments; in high school, enrollment last year was 169; this year number is 201 and there will possible be a few more added; in grammar school, 355 children have enrolled so far, but this number will be increased before end of year as well; in Lincoln School, Mrs. Lomax has charge until new principal, Ruben Clark of Troy, arrives; he is due here next Monday.

Edwin Kies plans to move to Jackson next month and will occupy house now lived in by J.F. Caldwell and family, which is owned by Henry Gockel; house will be improved; Caldwell is undecided as to what he will do.

J.D. Fisher, wife and son, Lester, have returned from their trip West; they were gone all summer touring California and other states, and visiting their son in Portland, Ore.; Fisher is engineer on Belmont branch of Missouri Pacific Railroad.

Firm of Macom & Spradling is no more, as Luther Spradling has sold his half interest in business to his senior partner, C.A. Macom, who will conduct business alone in future; since 1912, firm has been doing business on historic corner west of public square, where mercantile establishments have been located for last half century.

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