Day in history for August 5, 2003

1853 -- 150 years ago

During mutiny on board the ship Rockland, sailing from New York to Australia, the passengers helped the officers put the mutineers in irons. One of the passengers was Fred S. Nichols, who founded The Argus two years ago. He is going to Australia to start a newspaper.

1878 -- 125 years ago

Mrs. Susan M. Goldsmith, 77, died today at the residence of her son, the Hon. Bailey Davenport. She came to the island of Rock Island in 1816 and was the last surviving member of the first family to settle here. For five years she saw no other white woman except for her mother. Her closest neighbors were in Chicago and St. Louis.

1903 -- 100 years ago

Employees of the 3rd Avenue Line of the Tri-City Railway Company held their annual picnic at Watch Tower Park today.

1928 -- 75 years ago

The Black Hawk Hiking Club returned today from a 5-state tour covering 1,860 miles.

1953 -- 50 years ago

A plan for cleaning up Rock Island's city dump at the foot of 18th Avenue and Mill Street was outlined today by City Manager Cornelius Bodine.

1978 -- 25 years ago

After spending $18,975 to revamp downtown Rock Island's traffic pattern, city officials already are pondering changes in the plan. Despite extensive planning, the city's first major change in downtown traffic flow in three years has resulted in a snafu at 18th Street and 4th Avenue. The problem occurs where the one-way portion of 18th Street ends.

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