Day in history for January 12, 2002

1852 -- 150 years ago

The weather has been warm and pleasant for the last few days.

1877 -- 125 years ago

Fred Walthert has made a handsome painting of William Tell and his son, which he will present to the Rock Island Swiss Society at its dance in Streckfus Hall.

1902 -- 100 years ago

Deere And Co. will spend $100,000 for machinery with which to run its entire factory by electricity.

1927 -- 75 years ago

There have been 100 cases of mumps reported in the last two weeks. Most of the victims are adults.

1952 -- 50 years ago

Only one state was missing in a tabulation of auto license plates this year at the Christmas display in Davenport's Memorial Park Cemetery. The display drew an estimated fifty to sixty thousand visitors during the ten days. In an overall estimate, Illinois residents comprised 30 percent of the total visitors. Inclement weather and icy roads kept the total attendance below the figure for last year.

1977 -- 25 years ago

Hundreds of students walked into Black Hawk College classes only to be told their courses were canceled. The college, facing a deficit now estimated as high as $500,000, dropped 54 class sections on the first day of spring semester. The school canceled 72 classes in December after voters turned down a proposal to increase local taxes for the school. Officials say another six sections may be dropped by the end of late registration.

Back: Available days in January 2002