Day in history for April 3, 2003

1853 -- 150 years ago

It may be interesting perhaps to notice that one Rock Island alderman wasted the time of the city council introducing ordinances and voting against them himself. This is probably the economy, retrenchment and reform he talked so much about before his election.

1878 -- 125 years ago

At township elections, supervisors were chosen as follows: South Rock Island, L.C. Lloyd; Port Byron, R.J. Bell; Edgington, James Taylor; Coe, Jesse Daily; Hampton, Samuel Devinney; Black Hawk, Thomas Kerr; Moline, J.D. Long; and Rural, Andrew Donaldson.

1903 -- 100 years ago

The board of supervisors granted a petition for a franchise presented by the Moline, East Moline and Watertown railway.

1928 -- 75 years ago

Ten thousand booklets containing information about the proposed river-rail terminal for Rock Island will be distributed prior to the April 17 referendum.

1953 -- 50 years ago

The 50-year-old water tower at Coal Valley fell across U.S. highway 150 blocking traffic for over an hour. The old landmark was being toppled when it landed across the highway instead of on the side of the road as intended.

1978 -- 25 years ago

The East Moline city council voted 10-2 to approve plans for the construction of a neighborhood center in the city's aging Watertown district. Florence Aldridge played a key role in persuading the city to apply for a $500,000 federal grant to construct the center.

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