Day in history for January 29, 2003

1853 -- 150 years ago

The warm weather has nearly destroyed our ice bridge across the Mississippi River. Teams cannot cross and we think it unsafe for persons on foot.

1878 -- 125 years ago

James A. Dwight, a leading manufacturer from Fort Wayne, Ind., was registered last night at the Harper House.

1903 -- 100 years ago

David Lyons, county treasurer, has posted a bond in the amount of $300,000.

1928 -- 75 years ago

Allocation of space for the Rock Island auto show and industrial exposition next month at the Boone Building, 5th Ave. and 13th St., has begun.

1953 -- 50 years ago

Fire of undetermined origin gutted the Milan Maidrite Restaurant, 218 W. 1st St., Milan, early this morning. A Milan fireman estimated a total loss of about $5,000 to the building and furnishings.

1978 -- 25 years ago

John Mordhorst, 27, and Mike Mobley, 30, of Rock Island, knew nothing of a fallen satellite when they spotted a scorched crater and a lump of gnarled metal on the tundra of northern Canada. When they returned to their desolate arctic camp with news of the strange discovery, their year-long sojourn in the wilderness was broken. They had found the wreckage of Cosmos-954, a spy satellite, fueled by 100 pounds of uranium, that fell out of its orbit last week and set off a joint U.S.-Canadian search for radioactive debris.

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