Day in history for August 8, 2003

1853 -- 150 years ago

Bound for Rock Island to live, John G. Shofer and family boarded the steamer Excelsior at Montrose. As Mr. Shofer was going up the gang-plank he fell overboard and was drowned.

1878 -- 125 years ago

William Saurman, assistant foreman of the Fourth Ward Hose Company, worked hard the night of the fire which destroyed Volk's Planing Mill. He became overheated, came down with a cold which settled on his bowels, and today died in the prime of his life, aged 31.

1903 -- 100 years ago

Ellery's Royal Italian Band was heard at the Illinois Theater last night in one of the finest entertainments ever given there.

1928 -- 75 years ago

Six thousand persons attended a picnic sponsored jointly by Modern Woodmen of America and Royal Neighbors of America.

1953 -- 50 years ago

A city-wide monkey roundup may be in store for Davenport. Ten Rhesus monkeys from Fejervary Park's famous Monkey Island have escaped and are wandering about town. Park officials expect the mischievious monks to return when hunger pangs become too much, but in the meantime they caution city residents to not become alarmed if they think they are seeing monkeys.

1978 -- 25 years ago

Work will begin soon west of Barstow to install a floodgate designed to protect the village and nearby lowlands from Rock River flooding. The gate will be built on the Barstow Road where it passes over a drainage ditch, about a mile west of the village.

Back: Available days in August 2003