Day in history for July 31, 2002

1852 -- 150 years ago

The Masonic Order of Knights Templar, in their peculiar regalia of black and silver, received the remains of Henry Clay at Cincinnati. Mr. Clay was, we believe, a templar.

1877 -- 125 years ago

Dr. Herman Dietzel, 36, was found dead in his room at the Union Hotel. He was an Army surgeon during the Civil War and had lived in Rock Island the last six years.

1902 -- 100 years ago

The body of Roscoe Morton, who was drowned in the Mississippi, was recovered last evening after it had been in the water 24 hours. A coroner's jury censured the crew of the steamboat C.W. Cowles for not having tried to save the boy's life, since life preservers were within reach.

1927 -- 75 years ago

Filling stations were jammed with autos as motorists filled their tanks before the state tax of 2 cents a gallon goes into effect at midnight. Illinois is one of the last states to impose a gas tax.

1952 -- 50 years ago

The Argus was one of the first newspapers in the nation to predict this week from the Democratic national convention in Chicago that Governor Adlai E. Stevenson of Illinois would accept a draft for the presidential nomination.

1977 -- 25 years ago

Mitchell Park, East Moline, has been given two pieces of equipment for its winning display in the Home Energy Savings Program contest. Iowa-Illinois Gas and Electric Company is providing the prizes for the playground contest.

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