Day in history for March 22, 2002

1852 -- 150 years ago

Rock Island needs a fire engine. When Webber's foundry burned, the result was a complete loss of six to ten thousand dollars, a sum which would buy several fire engines. Our city needs protection from fire as much as it needs rail and plank roads.

1877 -- 125 years ago

There was a small audience for the Emma Abbott concert in the Burtis Opera House, Davenport, last night. Whenever Davenport theaters have a crowd, Rock Island and Moline people must provide it, and the people of those cities heard her in Moline the night before.

1902 -- 100 years ago

Major Stanhope E. Blunt, commander of Rock Island Arsenal, was upheld by President Theodore Roosevelt and Secretary of War Root. They ruled that Major Blunt had not interfered with labor-union organization and had not discriminated against union machinists.

1927 -- 75 years ago

The worst ice storm in many years coated wires, broke poles, and cracked trees. Telephone, power and street car services are paralyzed.

1952 -- 50 years ago

Deere And Co., Moline, has received an order from the Navy for manufacture of 155-millimeter high explosive shells. The value of the Deere contract has not been released, although it is well in excess of $250,000.

1977 -- 25 years ago

The Army will continue the realignment which includes transfer of the Rodman Laboratory from Rock Island Arsenal to Picatinny, N.J., U.S. Rep. Tom Railsback, R-Moline, said today.

Back: Available days in March 2002