Day in history for August 4, 2001

1876 -- 125 years ago

The sawdust of Anawalt And Denkmann's mill is still burning.

1901 -- 100 years ago

Porter Skinner, one of the oldest residents of Rock Island and a pioneer of the county, died.

1926 -- 75 years ago

Experiments on the new headlight invented by Fred Appelquist of Rock Island are being made by the night flivvers of the police department.

1951 -- 50 years ago

An attractive blond girl, seen often by millions of TV viewers on the Fred Waring television show, is vacationing in Rock Island. She is Mrs. Lewis Eley, the former Miss Jean Ryden. Both violinists, she and her husband, are members of the Fred Waring orchestra. The Pennsylvanians present one of the top-rated television musicals over CBS through WHBF-TV. Mr. and Mrs. Eley, now spending a few days of their vacation with her parents, Dr. and Mrs. E. Ryden, 3400 10th Ave., Rock Island, will start new rehearsals with the cast about Sept. 1.

1976 -- 25 years ago

A break or short circuit in the underground electrical wiring system of two of Silvis' three water pumps has left the city without enough water supply. The city has one well in operation and is pumping water from East Moline, but, according to Marlin Laity, street superintendent, residents are ``using water faster than we can pump it.'' Silvis Fire Chief Norman Schadt issued a warning to residents this morning, asking them to use as little water as possible.

Back: Available days in August 2001