Day in history for January 28, 2004

1854 -- 150 years ago

The Illinois Agriculture Society has voted to hold the 1854 state fair in whatever city will pay $3,000 to get the fair.

1879 -- 125 years ago

Conductors and brakemen of the Rock Island Lines henceforth will be paid by the mile. Their wages have been $45 to $70 a month.

1904 -- 100 years ago

Rock Island will be favored with three boats a week of the Diamond Jo Line during the coming season. It is the opinion of river men that steamboats will have all the passengers they can handle when the World's Fair in St. Louis opens.

1929 -- 75 years ago

Police acted to stop card games and gambling devices in cigar stores, soft-drink bars and billiard rooms.

1954 -- 50 years ago

A Des Moines-Chicago United Air Lines plane made an unscheduled stop at Quad City Airport after trouble developed in its port motor and it had to be cut out. The pilot, using the power in the remaining engine, made a perfect landing.

1979 -- 25 years ago

United by shared services and a common border along Illinois 84, Colona and Green Rock voters went to the polls in April 1968 to decide whether to join into one community. Henry County officials finally agreed to put the measure on the ballot on Jan. 29, 1968, 11 years ago this week. Colona voters rejected it by an 82-vote margin. Green Rock voters were in favor by 45 votes. Residents and officials still speculate whether another attempt will be made to merge the two towns.

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