Day in history for May 30, 2000

1875 -- 125 years ago

There have been 144 arrests in Rock Island over the past three months. The largest number, 31, were for drunk and disorderly conduct.

1900 -- 100 years ago

A school of instruction for Rock Island census enumerators was held in the Carse building, E.B. McKown acting as chairman.

1925 -- 75 years ago

P.H. Wright, a Rock Island furniture dealer, escaped serious injury when he was hurled through the windshield of his truck after a wheel fell off.

1950 -- 50 years ago

Twenty years ago Joseph V. Rook of Coal Valley heard of an accident in Davenport where a woman driver nearly ran down a pedestrian because she stepped on the gas instead of the brake. Mr. Rook, who has been a mechanic at the John Deere Wagon Works in Moline the past 43 years, thought about that and finally came up with an invention. Brake and accelerator are replaced by a single pedal. To feed gas to the engine, you let up on the brake.

1975 -- 25 years ago

Lightning struck the top of the steeple on the 84-year-old First United Methodist Church, 5th Avenue, Rock Island, and the resulting blaze caused damage estimated at $5,000 to the structure. The Rev. John W. Collins, pastor, said the steeple will have to be removed because of the extensive damage. Whether it will be replaced will be up to the church's board.

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