Day in history for December 9, 2003

1853 -- 150 years ago

The Sultan of Turkey will take the field in person in the war against Russia. England is undecided. Napoleon III is raising 100,000 men. Bucharest is reported destroyed. These items of news, though three weeks old, are the latest from the Crimean war front.

1878 -- 125 years ago

The finest clubrooms of Rock Island are those of the Black Hawk Club, which is now at the foot of 17th St., second story of the gas company's building.

1903 -- 100 years ago

When a drunken man sent in a fire alarm this morning, the department's men and horses galloped to the Fremont Butter Tub Company, all for nothing.

1928 -- 75 years ago

Sears, Roebuck Company will open a store in Rock Island after the first of the year.

1953 -- 50 years ago

Richard Buck, conservator of the Inter-Museum Conservation Association, completed his five days of ``detective'' work at the Davenport Municipal Art Gallery. The work consists of inspecting old paintings, studying their authenticity and evaluating them. The purpose of the organization is restoration of art works in galleries whose budgets do not permit installation of full-time departments of conservation.

1978 -- 25 years ago

Ten new fire monitors were bought for $1,685 Monday night by the Coal Valley Fire Protection District. Trustees accepted the low bid from Warren Radio, Peoria, for 10 Regency fire monitors.

Back: Available days in December 2003