Day in history for April 2, 2002

1852 -- 150 years ago

Quite a number of teams and covered wagons have passed at this point on their way to California and gold. Large numbers are reported coming. All have high hopes and mighty poor-looking cattle with them.

1877 -- 125 years ago

With the opening of navigation, Rock Island was overrun with thieves and suspicious characters and people were keeping a sharp lookout around their premises at night.

1902 -- 100 years ago

Col. Frank T. Reud, state commander of the Sons of Veterans, appointed Capt. John Rinck of Rock Island as one of his aides-de-camp.

1927 -- 75 years ago

Hopes of obtaining favorable action by the appropriations committee of the Illinois Senate on the bill proposing the purchase of Black Hawk's Watch Tower for a state park were expressed today by members of the committee of Rock Island and Moline men who had audiences with the committee and Gov. Small in Springfield.

1952 -- 50 years ago

Richard R. ``Bud'' Smith, Rock Island, has been appointed editor of the Illio, yearbook of the University of Illinois, for next year. He was editor-in-chief of the 1949 annual at Rock Island High School.

1977 -- 25 years ago

R.D. ``Bud'' Brotman's bus has been drawing a lot of attention. Shipped from England, the bus is 13 feet high, 27 feet long, eight feet wide, seats 61 and cost about $8,000. Brotman has always wanted a double-decker, but doesn't know what he'll do with it.

Back: Available days in April 2002