Day in history for July 18, 2002

1852 -- 150 years ago

The Mississippi River is very low, so low that steamboats of the larger class can no longer ascend the Rock Island rapids. The steamer Danube, coming down, struck the chain of rocks and was damaged.

1877 -- 125 years ago

Mrs. Susan M. Goldsmith, mother of former Mayor Bailey Davenport, is seriously ill.

1902 -- 100 years ago

A strike took place in the blacksmithing department of the Rock Island Plow Company yesterday, and as a result the company cut off the power in that part of the factory. The trouble arose over an order requiring the men to operate their machines until the whistle blows.

1927 -- 75 years ago

Marvin Bullard, Rock Island youth, completed his 144th hole at noon today on the Saukie public golf course in his attempt to set a new national golf marathon record.

1952 -- 50 years ago

A bronze medal and citation will be awarded to a Scott County cat appropriately named ``Miracle.'' The cat was so named after he survived being baled alive with scrap iron under tons of pressure in a Davenport salvage yard.

1977 -- 25 years ago

A smouldering fire at Short Hills Country Club, East Moline, caused extensive damage to the recently renovated clubhouse. A club official said the 3 a.m. fire would have destroyed the building, where new carpeting had just been installed, had it not been for the sprinkler system.

Back: Available days in July 2002