Day in history for January 21, 2003

1853 -- 150 years ago

On the road from Rock Island to Geneseo there is nothing to particularly interest the traveler except the active operations on the Rock Island railroad. The abutments and piers for the railroad's bridge across Rock River are nearly finished.

1878 -- 125 years ago

The Argus noted that there was no ice as far north as Green Bay, Wis.

1903 -- 100 years ago

The Rock Island board of education accepted the resignation of J.F. Darby as principal of the high school and appointed H.E. Brown to fill the vacancy. Darby will move to Indian territory where he will be active in affairs of the Rock Island Trust And Investment Co.

1928 -- 75 years ago

W.J. Stratton, chief of the Illinois Department of Conservation, will be a guest of the Rod And Reel Club of Rock Island on Monday night at the Moose Hall.

1953 -- 50 years ago

For the second time in two weeks, the alarm in the Galva fire engine room of the city hall was set off by a vibration caused by the closing of a door. The Galva department has not had an actual fire call for two months and hopes the good luck will continue.

1978 -- 25 years ago

Mrs. William Hewitt has resigned from the Illinois Racing Board to protest growing political support for legalization of off-track betting. In her letter of resignation Mrs. Hewitt said that off-track betting ``would be very bad'' for horse racing in Illinois.

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