LOOKING BACK AT JACKSON

25 years ago: 1974Jackson's Community Chest has moved to $13,983 in contributions toward goal of $20,000 to support seven community agencies; of that amount, 28 percent has been contributed by Charmin Paper Products Co., with employees giving $4,338.05 and company $1,275; Community Chest supports VIP Industries, Retarded Children, Ministerial Alliance, Girl Scouts, R-2 Children's Welfare Fund, American Red Cross and Boy Scouts.

Dr. Eugene Lowry, Seminary Professor of Preaching in Kansas City, was guest speaker in services Sunday morning at New McKendree United Methodist Church; Lowry, outstanding preacher and musician, also fills pulpit in Kansas City church.

Pam Myer was crowned Jackson High School Homecoming Queen by Butch Wright at school's homecoming dance Saturday night; event took place in Jackson High School cafeteria with theme being "Anne's Song"; Myer is daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Myer; Wright's parents are Mr. and Mrs. Robert Wright.

Cape Girardeau County's official 1974 assessed valuation is $141,726,977, record increase for one year and nearly $1 million more than what had been anticipated earlier in year; County Clerk Rusby C. Crites said Monday that various changes to assessment books accounted for higher total.

Once-denied zoning request on 14.8-acre tract of newly-annexed property owned by George Bockhorst was unanimously granted Monday night by City Council; there was no opposition to request to rezone from R-1 to C-1 property along Highway 61 East, which Bockhorst said he plans to develop into shopping complex.

Thieves took estimated 100 suits and coats valued at more than $7,500 from Andrew Jackson Store directly south of County Courthouse late Tuesday night or early Wednesday morning; police suspect burglars had familiarized themselves with store in advance, because it appeared most of clothing that was taken was of exceptionally high value.

Housing needs for elderly are being studied by SEMO Medical Center at Jackson, and as part of study to determine what, if any, are long-term needs of city, board members visited Poplar Bluff recently and toured Twin Towers there; Twin Towers, housing complex designed for elderly and featuring its own nutrition program, has been in operation several years.

50 years ago: 1949Halloween painting of windows in Jackson was completed Saturday and judging was done Monday by committee appointed by Chamber of Commerce from Thursday Literary Club; virtually all windows are covered with eerie scenes of Halloween.

There will be three teachers of rural schools attending state teachers meeting in St. Louis this week as delegates: Lynn Wilkening of Fruitland School, Mrs. Beatrice Cline of Gordonville and Mrs. Hazel Klaproth of Cape Girardeau, teacher at Kage School.

Painters continue to work at County Courthouse, beginning their chores this week in Circuit Court room; bar rails, tables, jury seats and judge's bench were moved to make way for laborers; large scaffolding was erected to reach high ceiling.

Clarence Bennett, musician with Ringling Circus band now in St. Louis, visited his mother, Mrs. Jesse Bennett, paying his first visit home in two years; after fulfilling engagement in St. Louis, circus will next show at Nashville, Tenn.

75 years ago: 1924First rain since Sept. 27 fell over Jackson Thursday night; while total was only .18 of an inch, it was sufficient to somewhat abate dust nuisance.

Halloween passed with usual pranks played by youth of city; more masqueraders were out than had been seen here for some time on these occasions; besides harmless mischief, there was nothing perpetrated that would cause serious damage; revelers kept it up until at in night, while police looked tolerantly on.

Ordinance, confirming contract with Fairbanks-Morse Co. for new machinery for power plant, was passed; it provides for payment of $37,000 for new engines and complete new outfit for plant; contract for new building to house this equipment was let to Linus Penzel for $5,321; Superintendent F.C. Schnaare, who has been in employ of city for three years now at salary of $150 per month, has given such good service, that council raised his wages to $180 per month.

Among those who voted Tuesday in Jackson was Col. L.M. Bean, 81 years old; more than 61 years ago, he cast his first ballot, and at age of 17, or more than 64 years ago, he was clerk in one of polling places in Hubble Township, at which his father was one of election judges and one of his brothers a clerk also.

Another old-timer casting his ballot Tuesday was "Father" Christian Stein, who will round out his hundredth year in few months.

Tuesday night was hectic in Jackson; there was more than ordinary interest shown in results of elections, and some of politicians made all night vigils of it; entire assembly seemed to be jubilant over results, Republicans over landslide for Calvin Coolidge, Democrats over gains on county ticket.

Superintendent of Schools J.T. McDonald has just completed his first round of visits to rural schools in county, of which there are about 75, and has found them all running nicely.