Day in history for May 15, 2002

1852 -- 150 years ago

The Wisconsin legislature defeated a bill to allow colored people to vote, 37 to 21.

1877 -- 125 years ago

Guards at Rock Island Arsenal were rebuked for shooting at fishermen. Commander Flagler announced that people are free to fish near the island as long as they do not molest government property.

1902 -- 100 years ago

Mayor B.F. Knox threw the first ball as the baseball season opened. Rock Island defeated Evansville, 10 to 0.

1927 -- 75 years ago

For the second year in a row, Percy Brown, 14, won the city marbles championship sponsored by The Argus and the YMCA.

1952 -- 50 years ago

New developments in telephone equipment and the microwave radio relay system were demonstrated for Rock Island Kiwanians by W.F. Wiedemann of the Illinois Bell Telephone Co. Mr. Wiedemann first demonstrated the newest-type telephone with letters and numbers outside of the dial and a transmitter and receiver 25 percent lighter than any before made.

1977 -- 25 years ago

Paula Dena, the Silvis housewife who says her job application for the East Moline police force was rejected because she is a woman, today said she may file sex discrimination suits against Police Chief Merle O'Dell and the city's police and fire commission. Chief O'Dell says that Mrs. Dena was rejected because she's missing the first joint on her left thumb, a handicap he says would prevent her from handling a gun.

Back: Available days in May 2002