Day in history for July 23, 2003

1853 -- 150 years ago

The Rock Island Railroad offers free transportation of all livestock and farm produce destined for the state fair at Springfield. The railroad, which so far runs from Chicago to six miles west of Peru, will carry passengers headed for the fair at half the usual price.

1878 -- 125 years ago

All of New Boston turned out, after the town bell was rung, to hunt for a 10-year-old boy. At 2 a.m. he was found sleeping soundly on the cellar hatch-door at his home.

1903 -- 100 years ago

Fourteen men formed a co-partnership and built a telephone line from Milan to Taylor Ridge. When arguments developed among the partners, some of them grounded the wire. That was followed by a series of wire-cutting retaliations.

1928 -- 75 years ago

The Argus will use a megaphone to give a street crowd a blow-by-blow account of the Tunney-Heeney heavyweight championship fight. Be in front of the Argus at 8 p.m.

1953 -- 50 years ago

A permit for the new Eagle Supermarket at 4011 23rd Ave., Moline, was issued by Building Inspector Gust B. Faust, and an early start on the job was forecast. The estimated cost of the structure was set at $107,000.

1978 -- 25 years ago

When Bill Brown's bicycle broke down, he had a problem. With a too-big-to-carry pile of Daily Dispatches to deliver to his Cambridge customers, Bill had to do something. He put them in his aunt's baby stroller and pushed them around town.

Back: Available days in July 2003