Day in history for December 8, 2003

1853 -- 150 years ago

It is now expected that regular passenger cars will run as far as Geneseo on the Chicago and Rock Island railroad by Dec. 15.

1878 -- 125 years ago

The amount of walking between Davenport and Rock Island is shown by Colonel Flagler's report on Rock Island bridge traffic in November: 31,534 crossings of the bridge on foot, and only 21,576 crossings with horses.

1903 -- 100 years ago

Contracts for building bridge No. 6 over Rock River between Rock Island and Milan was awarded to a Clinton company on a bid of $9,900.

1928 -- 75 years ago

Dr. J.C. Souders was injured in an auto collision.

1953 -- 50 years ago

George Marich, 29, Aledo High School track coach, was fatally stabbed shortly before noon today in an altercation with students in one of the school corridors. He was taken to Mercer County Hospital where he died a few minutes later without regaining consciousness. Three youths were taken into custody and were being held by Sheriff William Albertson for questioning.

1978 -- 25 years ago

Illinois is calling off its three-year, $3.9 million effort to keep Rock Island Lines passenger trains running in the state. The Dec. 31 end of the state subsidy to the bankrupt railroad for the operation of the Chicago to Quad-Cities passenger operations probably means the long-expected end to rail passenger service here.

Back: Available days in December 2003