Day in history for June 16, 2001

1876 -- 125 years ago

The board of library directors purchased 87 new books for the Rock Island Public Library, a large number of them being juvenile stories.

1901 -- 100 years ago

The property of the township of Rock Island was assessed at $2,479,042.

1926 -- 75 years ago

R.A. Jacobson, who is to succeed Elmer E. Meadley as managing secretary of the Rock Island Chamber of Commerce, is expected to arrive in Rock Island the latter part of the week.

1951 -- 50 years ago

``Brownie,'' well-known Rock Island dog, died at 5:10 o'clock last evening in the Ruggles Small Animal Clinic, Moline. He was thought to be more than fourteen years old. He was removed to the animal clinic last Wednesday afternoon from the Harper House, where he made his headquarters. Hundreds of people knew ``Brownie'' and greeted him on the sidewalks, in the hotel lobby, in business places and in Spencer Square, where he romped and rested.

1976 -- 25 years ago

Toxic fumes from a fire at Central Pool Supply, Inc., Moline, kept firefighters temporarily at bay. The fire destroyed the brick building and $300,000 in contents but no evacuation was required. Moline Fire Chief A.J. Claerhout said firefighters had to use airpacks to fight the fire, which was ``extremely difficult'' to extinguish because of the toxic fumes given off by ammonia chlorine, soda ash and other chemicals. Firefighters did not enter the building to fight the fire.

Back: Available days in June 2001