A LOOK AT THE PAST

25 years ago, 1975

Jackson R-2 kindergarten pupils will participate in research project on television violence and how it affects youngsters; Board of Education Tuesday authorized two Southeast Missouri State University instructors -- Wayne Hoober and Robert Johnson -- to conduct project as part of continuing research effort on problem.

Site plans for mobile home parks and land subdivisions in Cape Girardeau County should be submitted to new administrative office of County Planning and Zoning Commission in basement of county courthouse; Harry Sachse has been hired on part-time basis as administrative officer.

Late Thursday morning, County Court voted 2-1 to investigate feasibility of expanding and remodeling existing county jail in Jackson rather than build new one; measure specifically called for abandoning County Farm as site for jail; vote reflected determination of majority of court members to keep facility in county seat.

City Attorney Kenneth L. Waldron said Friday city of Jackson will act to dismiss Missouri Supreme Court appeal of Circuit Court decision last year on location of new county jail, now that County Court has decided to build proposed jail in Jackson.

One-cent sales tax which was overwhelmingly endorsed by voters in Jackson Nov. 26, goes into effect Tuesday; enactment means Jackson merchants, joining increasing number of businesses in other Missouri communities which have approved one-cent tax, will begin charging four cents on each dollar exchange; city officials estimate tax will result in additional $100,000 annual revenue; first year's receipts will be used toward construction of new municipal swimming pool.

At request of County Court, architect Thomas E. Phillips of Cape Girardeau will meet this week with owner of Nip Kelley Trucking and Equipment Co. to discuss terminating Kelly's contract for earthwork on 23-acre tract of County Farm in Cape Girardeau; having decided Thursday to abandon farm site as location of new county jail, court met Monday with Phillips and Prosecuting Attorney A.J. Seier to discuss terminating the Kelly contract and Phillips' contract.

50 years ago, 1950

Two grass fires over weekend sent fire department to each scene, where flames from burning gardens got out of control; first call was to rear of Harlan Overbeck house in East Jackson and second to near T.K. O'Loughlin dwelling on West Main Street.

Two census crew leaders, Bonnie Barringer for Jackson and rural districts and Mrs. Margaret Slinkard for Cape Girardeau, met in Jackson to check in 38 workers for taking of Cape Girardeau County census to start April 1; this week there will be schooling for entire group in American Legion Hall.

W.T. Palisch, principal of St. Paul Lutheran School, has received call from Trinity Lutheran Church at Freistatt, Mo., his second call within eight months.

Hobeck bridge over Caney Ford Creek, near Daisy, has been completed, and travel is passing over span; bridge was out for more than year; span is 63 feet in length with 12-foot roadway; it has been constructed of treated piling timber and cost about $700.

More filings for city alderman were made Monday night, J.A. Schaper filing to succeed himself in Ward 1, Adolph Brogfield and Walter Schroeder for Ward 4; previously filing for Ward 2 was W. Shelby Brown and T.B. Statler in Ward 3.

New pastor has been selected by Trinity Lutheran Church at Friedheim; he is the Rev. Walter F. Krahn, now serving pastorate at Cole Camp, in west central Missouri; Krahn will preach his farewell sermon there on April 16 and will be at Friedheim following Sunday.

First-degree armed robbery charges, carrying with them penalty ranging from five years in prison to death, were filed late Wednesday against three Dexter men, accusing them of Feb. 21 holdup of Bank of Gordonville, in which $3,515 was taken; two of men are housed in county jail in Jackson; other is in Keego Harbor, Mich., near Pontiac, where he was arrested Wednesday by Michigan authorities; it is believed he will contest extradition from Michigan.

L. Carson Wagner Jr. was notified Thursday that he has been appointed principal candidate from 10th Congressional District for entrance to U.S. Military Academy at West Point; Wagner is Jackson native and graduated from Jackson High School in May.

75 years ago, 1925

Seventy-five members of Jackson Chamber of Commerce banqueted at dining hall of Masonic Building Tuesday night; among things discussed were dust abatement, city elections, erection of booster signs along state highways, Homecomers reunion, camping grounds, cleanup campaign and dumping grounds, occupation tax, and state highway improvements.

With proper solemnity and appropriate ceremony, Frieda Kies was crowned queen of Silver Arrow Clan one day last week at Jackson High School auditorium; diadem was placed on her head by Allen Fulenwider, who had been chosen earlier as "Big Chief" of clan for 1925 graduating class; auditorium was decorated in purple and white, colors of Jackson High.

Altenthal-Joerns Post of American Legion is increasing in membership and is becoming very active; not only was post instrumental in sending nice sum of money as relief to storm-stricken country north of city, but it has also taken over arrangements for dedicatory program of soldiers' monument on Memorial Day, and now proposes to take over organization of 1925 Homecomers celebration.

City politics is becoming more torrid as election approaches; although most candidates make their individual campaigns, there seems to be united effort to put over ticket on which D.L. Wolter, J.W. Daugherty, A.E.. Sheppard and Charles Macke are candidates for aldermen in their respective wards; placing of this ticket in field seems to indicate fight between its backers and those who wish to see old regime continue.