Day in history for February 13, 2004

1854 -- 150 years ago

The little grandson of John Thompson, while washing his sled at the levee, fell under the ice today and was taken away by the current. The body may not be found until spring.

1879 -- 125 years ago

If O.J. Dimick will not allow use of his Ninth Street fairgrounds track for harness races, Rock Island should establish a driving park on Big Island.

1904 -- 100 years ago

The city will offer to buy from Phil Mitchell the combination city hall and armory which the city leases. The council voted to offer $15,000.

1929 -- 75 years ago

Crowded conditions at Hawthorne and Irving schools and plans for enlargement of those schools were outlined for the board of education.

1954 -- 50 years ago

A scholarship fund in memory of Carl August Bergendoff, a graduate of Augustana College, has been established. A check for $5,000 was received from Ruben Bergendoff, Kansas City, Mo., a son, whose contribution was prompted by his father's devotion to Augustana.

1979 -- 25 years ago

As soon as his flashlight beam reflected off the shiny plastic bags in the dark attic, Rock Island County Sheriff's investigator Sherman Powell knew he had found what he was looking for. Inside the bags, wrapped in towels and rags, was a tiny skeleton, the remains of what authorities believe was a 7-month-old fetus. Powell came to the one-story home in an unincorporated part of the county, near Silvis, after he received a tip from a former resident of the home.

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