A LOOK BACK AT JACKSON

25 years ago, 1972

Total of $646,413 in railroad and utility taxes will be distributed to school districts in Cape Girardeau County, according to county clerk Rusby C. Crites; receiving largest share, based on enrollment, is Cape Girardeau school system, $406,957; Jackson R-II will receive $169,804; others receiving funds, in order of amount, are Advance R-III, Delta R-V, Oak Ridge R-VI, Nell Holcomb R-IV, and Patton-Sedgewickville C-4.

Only two local offices remain without candidates for election this year following recent filings of candidates for two other offices; filing were Leroy Abernathy of Jackson for public administrator and Jerry S. Estes of Cape Girardeau for magistrate; both are Democrats and seeking election to posts they now hold under appointment; two offices for which there are no candidates are coroner and associate judge from District 2.

Voters have approved $2 million revenue bond issue for expansion of city electrical generating facilities by a nearly 80 percent majority; vote total was 358-100, with issue carrying in all four city wards.

50 years ago, 1947

More than 100 members of Lutheran Leagues of Zone 7 attended mid-winter conference Sunday at St. Paul Lutheran Church; churches sending representatives to conference were Cape Girardeau, Illmo, Sikeston, Hanover and Poplar Bluff; some neighboring churches which don't have organized leagues also were represented at gathering.

Office and law library of Frank Hines has been moved to his home in East Jackson; Hines suffered broken collar bone three weeks and is improving satisfactorily; his office suite in Cape County Savings Bank building will be occupied by attorney W. Osler Statler.

Goble Bros., in charge of excavation to widen West Hubble Creek, a city project to prevent overflow, are preparing to dismantle dragline in few days as workers have practically completed work; widening of creek started 2,000 feet north of bridge on West Main and high wall has been thrown up along Camp Street to prevent water from leaving creek channel after making sharp turn; excavation extended several miles below town in Kinder, McWilliams, Voges and Meier farms; last year area was flooded 21 times between January and June.

75 years ago, 1922

Small, but representative body of citizens attended meeting at circuit court auditorium to hear explanation of aims and workings of Full Time County Health Unit system, which is to be inaugurated in Cape Girardeau County in cooperation with Federal Health Department, State Board of Health, Rockefeller Foundation, and county authorities and citizens in general; it was pointed out that Cape Girardeau's city council had just appropriated $840 for the work, and that Jackson's governing board should be willing to appropriate $250 for same purpose.

Charles E. Williams, prominent citizen and former county official, died at his home on Russell Avenue Jan. 29 after illness of four months; Williams was born Feb. 2, 1858, member of one of oldest families of county; he was son of Mr. and Mrs. Wesley Williams, pioneers; Williams family was among first setters in county, and at one time owned extensive farms on creek east of Jackson that bears their name; on Nov. 3, 1895, he married Adella Kelly, daughter of railroad conductor, who survives him; there are no children.

Shoe factory proposition is taking on new life again and looks more promising than it ever did; local committee has been advised that plans for $100,000 building have been completed, have been approved by board of directors of International Shoe Co., and plans and specifications would be in hands off committee here before end of week.