Day in history for January 21, 2004

1854 -- 150 years ago

Rails have been laid on the Chicago And Rock Island to the new Rock River railway bridge, 12 miles east of Rock Island. The first cars will reach Rock Island in perhaps three weeks.

1879 -- 125 years ago

Gracie Crampton, 12, had her right limb broken just below the knee last night while she was coasting in company with her mother, sister and several clerks from Crampton's Book Store.

1904 -- 100 years ago

A coroner's jury investigating the 600 deaths in the Iroquois Theater fire in Chicago ordered Mayor Carter Harrison and three other city officials held for grand jury investigation. City officials and theater managers are charged with negligence and incompetence.

1929 -- 75 years ago

Carl H. Schubert, 29, of Rock Island, was fatally hurt when he fell from a sled while coasting.

1954 -- 50 years ago

Scott County Conservation Officer Charles Adamson has a new job today, playing 'ring around the rosie'' with elusive squirrels who are finding a haven of warmth in Davenport chimneys. Seems that the squirrel, long known for its agility, has slipped, in Davenport at least, and a number of them have found themselves trapped in chimneys. Adamson recently has turned chimney sweep on four different occasions.

1979 -- 25 years ago

Sisters Christine and Janice Schwartz of Rock Island won state championships in the Illinois State Speed Skating Championships in Glen Ellyn. Another sister, Terese, was fourth in the overall junior class standings.

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