Day in history for January 12, 2004

1854 -- 150 years ago

Although the last legislature granted a syndicate of men a charter for a plank road between Rock Island and Moline, no move has been made to start building this public necessity. Plank tracks in the road would make possible hourly stagecoaches between the towns.

1879 -- 125 years ago

A number of English sparrows were observed at 18th Street and 2nd Avenue, Rock Island, today. They are new birds here.

1904 -- 100 years ago

David Finley, Sr., for half a century a resident of Andalusia and vicinity, died as a result of a fall on an icy walk, which fractured his hip.

1929 -- 75 years ago

Police were instructed, because of recent accidents, to enforce an ordinance forbidding coasting on streets and sidewalks.

1954 -- 50 years ago

Three-month-old Maria Therese, the youngest baby ever to be brought over from Europe all by herself, arrived in New York from Trieste, Italy, under the auspices of the Catholic Committee for Refugees. She was taken to the New York Foundling Home to wait for a representative of Davenport Catholic Charities.

1979 -- 25 years ago

Thousands of spectators expected for the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, N.Y., will find transportation easier thanks to a contract with Deere and Co. to provide snow blowers and snowmobiles. In its first contract with the Olympic Committee, Deere and Co. will be the official supplier of snow-removal equipment and construction equipment.

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