Day in history for February 26, 2004

1854 -- 150 years ago

Engineers are now at work between Rock Island and Port Byron running the survey for the Warsaw And Rock Island Railroad.

1879 -- 125 years ago

Captain John Burgh, formerly of Rock Island, is in town for a walking exhibition at Hillier's Hall. He will walk 75 miles in 24 hours.

1904 -- 100 years ago

Prices have risen on tea, coffee, flour, sugar and medicines which come from the far east. Wholesalers blame the Russian-Japanese war.

1929 -- 75 years ago

J.J. Hagan, superintendent of schools, warned Americans, in a speech at the YMCA, to be wide awake concerning Japan. He predicted war with Japan unless skillful diplomacy is used.

1954 -- 50 years ago

Disclosure that a 15-year-old mentally retarded boy had been confined in an enclosure in the basement of his Rock Island home for two years left Rock Island authorities shocked and legally undecided. The question they raised is: ''Can a mother's love for her child take the place of proper care for the youth in a mental institution?''

1979 -- 25 years ago

International Harvester took the wraps off its new ``2+2'' four-wheel-drive tractor and unveiled a $20 million computer-controlled production facility for the new tractor at the Rock Island Farmall Plant. Production of the new tractor began last month and already has added 100 employees to the plant's 3,000-plus workforce, Matt Glogowski, plant manager, said.

Back: Available days in February 2004