Page from the Past from the files of The Gazette-Democrat50 Years Ago, January 11, 1962

Disaster struck on Jonesboro Square Wednesday afternoon a little after 2 o'clock when a fire which started on the outside of the Jonesboro Second Hand Store spread rapidly through that store and The Nifty Shop and the Jonesboro Newsstand.

Residents of Union County woke up Wednesday to a mighty nippy temperature of 8 degrees below zero. This is the coldest temperature which has been recorded since February, 1951 when it was 11 below, according to J. Bon Hartline, official weather observer in this area.

E.P. Owen was re-elected president of the Anna Fair at a meeting of the board of directors Friday night at the Anna City Hall.

Monday of next week, January 15, will be the first date for filing petitions as candidates for nomination to offices in the Union County government. These offices are: judge, clerk, treasurer, sheriff, superintendent of schools and commissioner.

Roy T. Shoemaker has been appointed administrator for the Union County Hospital in Anna and took over his duties in this position last week.

George E. Fager, Area Conservationist for the U.S. Soil Conservation Service, has announced his retirement effective January 31, 1962.

A large crowd attended the Union County Saddle Club Barbeque held January 4.

The Anna-Jonesboro Wildcats took over undisputed first place in the Southwest Egyptian Conference with two important victories over the weekend.