A LOOK BACK AT JACKSON

25 years ago, 1975

County Court Thursday heard new proposal from city of Cape Girardeau in continuing jail site controversy; Cape Girardeau would like county to build joint jail facility with city on South Sprigg Street property, where new Cape Girardeau jail is planned; Presiding Judge Ervin Hobbs and Associate Judge Edwin W. Sander express concern that county jail in Cape Girardeau would create transportation problems to and from magistrate and circuit courts in Jackson; Sander also expressed concern that construction of county jail under city's proposal would renew Jackson fears that entire county courthouse operation would be moved to Cape Girardeau.

Bridge Contracting Co. of Sikeston has been awarded contract to install new sewer system in Delta; work will begin as soon as possible and tentative date for completion is Dec. 9; this will be first citywide sewer system in Delta and will include three-cell lagoon for treatment with three lift stations and eight-inch sewer lines.

Corrections officers have expressed interest in paying Cape Girardeau County to board short-term state and federal prisoners in county's proposed minimum security jail if it is built near Interstate 55-Highway 61 interchange between Cape Girardeau and Jackson; many of state and federal prisoners who would be kept in proposed jail would be involved in prisoner work-release program, through which they would pay county, in addition to boarding costs that would be paid by corrections agencies.

County Court Monday continued to tread carefully on controversial issue of site selection for new county jail, giving no indication that decision would be made in immediate future; nor did court take any steps to meet with Cape Girardeau city officials to discuss latest site offer, which would allow county to build joint jail facility with city on its South Sprigg Street property in Cape Girardeau.

Brian D. Miller of Jackson has been appointed director of Cape Girardeau County Disaster Planning and Operations Office to replace Ivan E. McLain, who resigned; primary purpose of limited disaster and planning operations in county is to keep up radio communications operation, particularly storm warning system; those duties could be expanded by court.

House bill introduced by State Rep. Marvin E. Proffer, D-Jackson, is aimed at "discriminating against" Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Department by transferring power to appoint deputy sheriffs and set their salaries from circuit court to county court in second class counties, charges County Sheriff Ivan E. McLain; McLain, Republican, also contends controversy over location and cost of new jail has developed into "political power struggle" and that his department is suffering because of it.

50 years ago, 1950

Special meeting is set for Monday night at St. Paul Lutheran Church at which time H.A. Pearce of Bonsack-Pearce, architects of St. Louis, will discuss drawings of proposed new school building; Pearce will be ready to answer questions and give detailed information relative to new structure.

R.A. Fulenwider has been named chairman of special committee of Chamber of Commerce to spearhead plans for building of new community center in Jackson; site will be in City Park and estimated $80,000 to $85,000 will be necessary to build, as drawn up in architectural plan by R. G. Luetje; two floors, one of basement level and one the main floor, are in drawing, adequate to accommodate crowd of 700 persons in auditorium, with five ante-rooms for small gatherings.

Budget of $251,281.07 for operation of Cape Girardeau County during coming year was approved by County Court Monday; it is increase of $25,158.30 over 1949 budget.

City Council Monday night approved plan of American Legion to hold annual Homecomers on streets of Jackson as has been done in many years past; for two weeks council had withheld its decision pending verbal questioning of business men and some other residents.

Charles Zimmerman, assistant district census supervisor, Thursday interviewed and passed out applications to 96 Cape Girardeau County residents seeking enumerator positions for decennial census to start April 1; 96 applicants came from list of 111 persons who had inquired about jobs and had been sent cards asking them to report for interviews; from list, 35 enumerators and two crew chiefs will be selected; 21 enumerators will take census in Cape Girardeau, and 14 will count noses in remainder of county.

Mrs. Myrtle E. Loberg has purchased house of Mr. and Mrs. Leo Bingenheimer on East Main Street in Jackson; Bingenheimers are building house on Highway 61, just north of their new service station on parcel of ground they bought from Eddie Borgfield; Harry Seabaugh is partner in station.

One hundred parking meters located in business section of Jackson are now city property, and revenue derived each month from meters will be used by city on streets and street improvements.

75 years ago, 1925

Leander Wilson, old and respected citizen of Applecreek Township, died at his home near Oak Ridge early Thursday, Feb. 5; his age hasn't been fully determined, but he must have been near 80; Wilson was born in slavery and was formerly owned by grandfather of Dr. D.G. Seibert, and R.K. Wilson of Jackson; he was only slave that Wilson had in ante-bellum days; Wilson leaves widow and several grown children.

Altenthal-Joerns Post of American Legion has taken initiative in proposing that formal dedication of memorial to World War soldier dead at Jackson take place on eighth anniversary of declaration of state of war by federal government against German government, April 6, 1917; appropriate program will be arranged.

John Gross Friday sold half interest in blacksmith shop in Fruitland to his partner, Charles Leimer, and then purchase from E.T. Telle the shop and fixtures of similar business in Gordonville; Gross will move his family and belongings to Gordonville next week and take possession of his newly-acquired property there.

Marie Sachse is now employed in accounting department of Jackson Exchange Bank.

First consignment of this season's crop of maple syrup arrived in Jackson Saturday; in very short time, entire lot was sold at $2 per gallon; syrup was made within few miles of Jackson, but crop isn't large as sugar orchards aren't as plentiful as formerly in this section.

The Rev. L.B. Arvin of St. Louis has accepted call of Baptist Church here, and will begin his pastorate next Sunday; family will move to Jackson around March 1.

Because of breakdown in heating plant at grammar school, pupils who attend grade school had holiday Monday.

During storm Tuesday night, electrical wires in some parts of Jackson were blown down and, as result, some dwellings were dark Wednesday morning.

Superintendent C.F. Schnaare of municipal power plant announced Thursday that new plant will be in operation about March 15, if nothing unforeseen happens; machinery is all on grounds, and installation will begin just as soon as painters finish their work.