Day in history for May 24, 2000

1875 -- 125 years ago

A Rock Island Lines passenger train was thrown from the track by a misplaced switch about a block east of the horse railroad stables.

1900 -- 100 years ago

Policeman Andrew Etzel was made electrician of Rock Island to succeed William Dickman.

1925 -- 75 years ago

Mary E. Krull, Rock Island, was commissioned a state lecturer for the Order of Eastern Star.

1950 -- 50 years ago

Contracts for a new half-million dollar elementary school on North Division Street, Davenport, were awarded by the Davenport school board within 30 minutes after the bids were opened last night. All contracts, having an total of $531,645, were awarded to Davenport firms. Tunnicliff Construction Co., low bidder for the general contract, said excavation work will start this week. The building is expected to be ready for use by the fall of 1951. Harold J. Williams, superintendent of schools, said the speedy action on contracts was taken to save construction time.

1975 -- 25 years ago

A garage owned by George J. Heene, Moline, was demolished when a city garbage truck rolled down an incline into the building. The truck driver and another worker were out of the vehicle when its brakes malfunctioned and it rolled down the hill. Estimated damage to the garage was $4,000.

Back: Available days in May 2000