Day in history for February 7, 2004

1854 -- 150 years ago

We hope to be able to give our readers Senator Douglas' great speech in favor of Nebraska and the right of self government next week.

1879 -- 125 years ago

M. Schnell has won a contract to build the Baptist parsonage for $2,120.

1904 -- 100 years ago

P.T. Bancroft, Rock Island waterworks superintendent, said two more pumps are needed to supply the city with enough water at all times.

1929 -- 75 years ago

B'nai B'rith, with a pledge of $500, is the first organization to contribute to a fund for a Tri-City Jewish Center.

1954 -- 50 years ago

Glenn L. Seydel, president of Bond Drug Stores, and C.R. Walgreen Jr., president of Walgreen Company, announced today the merging of Bond Drug Stores with Walgreen Company. Walgreen company is the largest national operator of retail drug stores, with 390 stores throughout the country. Annual sales for 1953 were over $181,000,000.

1979 -- 25 years ago

An Annawan school bus was used to transport 51 strikers from Kewanee Manufacturing Co. to the county jail in Cambridge after they violated a court order. An estimated 100 union workers defied a court injunction limiting the number of picketers at the plant and massed at plant entrances. Large numbers of city, Henry County and state lawmen dispersed the picketers by about 9 a.m. after the picketers tried to prevent non-union personnel from going to work.

Back: Available days in February 2004