Day in history for December 12, 2003

1853 -- 150 years ago

A stagecoach driver, who refused to pay his ferriage across the Mississippi here, assaulted Mr. Zabriskie of the ferry at 7:30 last night. Mr. Zabriskie still remains insensible and the ruffian has not yet been caught.

1878 -- 125 years ago

Several inches of snow today and the sound of sleigh bells, the first of the season.

1903 -- 100 years ago

The Tri-City Press Club will sponsor a lecture on ``Society'' by Colonel Henry Watterson, Louisville, Ky., editor, at the Illinois Theater.

1928 -- 75 years ago

C.F. Huthmaker has been named editor of the official magazine of Modern Woodmen of America.

1953 -- 50 years ago

For the first time in ``umpteen'' years, the Moline High School band will get a new set of uniforms. The board of education Tuesday night set aside $2,000 from the profits of concession sales at Wharton Fieldhouse and Browning Field to start a fund for the purchase of new uniforms. An additional $3,000 is needed, and it is hoped to get that amount from concessions before the present school year is completed.

1978 -- 25 years ago

Two six-inch teeth found 10 miles south of Sauk Valley College by a Rock Falls man have been identified by college staff members as molars from a mastodon, an extinct species. Charles Standard, Rock Falls, found the fossilized teeth partially buried in the bed of the Green River about eight miles southeast of Rock Falls.

Back: Available days in December 2003