Day in history for April 11, 2002

1852 -- 150 years ago

A writer in the New York Courier and Enquirer recalls that when he was a soldier in the Black Hawk War in 1832 he walked from Chicago to Rock Island in 10 days through deep snowdrifts and over black prairies. Now he understands that there are ``millions of inhabitants'' in the Chicago-Rock Island region.

1877 -- 125 years ago

Rinnah Wells of Andalusia, who settled here when Chief Black Hawk and his Indians claimed the land which is now Rock Island, has been stricken with paralysis. He is a newly-elected member of the county board of supervisors.

1902 -- 100 years ago

O.L. Anderson, who moved to Arizona six months ago, is back in Rock Island visiting friends.

1927 -- 75 years ago

Nearly every state has invited President Coolidge to spend his vacation there. Among the invitations sent him was one from the Men's Community Bible Class of Rock Island.

1952 -- 50 years ago

Eight or nine 23rd Avenue property owners, who have so far resisted pleas to contribute strips of their lots for right-of-way purposes, are the key to whether Moline's proposed $500,000 improvement and widening program will go through this summer or be dropped permanently.

1977 -- 25 years ago

Grass fires fanned by 40-mile-per-hour winds burned out of control in parts of Rock Island and Davenport today, prompting a ban on open fires in both cities. The fires threatened several homes, but no building damage or injuries were reported.

Back: Available days in April 2002