Day in history for July 24, 2003

1853 -- 150 years ago

The Rock Island city council allowed bills totaling $305.45 to four men for superintending the building of sidewalks and crossings on 9th, 17th and 19th Streets.

1878 -- 125 years ago

A large crowd attended a trial held in a grove near the high school at Port Byron. Blue-ribbon temperance forces were out in large numbers as they sought to close a saloon in Cordova for selling liquor in smaller quantity than one gallon to a customer, contrary to law. The jury found the liquor store not guilty.

1903 -- 100 years ago

Fred McDougle of Geneseo drowned when he went swimming in cold water, 20 feet deep, in a hole left from quarrying stone on Sylvan Island.

1928 -- 75 years ago

Rock Island's team is in second place and the Moline club is third in the Mississippi Valley baseball league standings.

1953 -- 50 years ago

Quad-City authorities apprehended eight men accused of plundering Quad-City area safes in recent months. The eight men are charged specifically in warrants with five safe burglaries where loot reportedly totaled $3,092.

1978 -- 25 years ago

Two inmates at the Scott County jail escaped the Davenport facility shortly before 11 a.m. The pair was identified by Scott County Jailer Bob Schmidt as Kenneth Canarr, 18, and Bruce Farris, 19, both of Davenport. The pair escaped by hiding in a garage when other prisoners were returning to their cells after morning exercise.

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