Day in history for March 15, 2004

1854 -- 150 years ago

John Warner, the Mississippi River bridge contractor, was out for a buggy ride today, 10 weeks to the day since he broke his foot in a jump during his horse's runaway.

1879 -- 125 years ago

The new city council appointed seven men to replace the members of the Rock Island police force.

1904 -- 100 years ago

H.V Fisher of Geneseo, Republican aspirant for lieutenant governor, was in Rock Island today in the interest of his candidacy.

1929 -- 75 years ago

Rock Island County supervisors unanimously endorsed Governor Emmerson's gasoline tax bill. The tax will provide revenue for county highway improvements.

1954 -- 50 years ago

Rock Island city officials advanced plans for metering of a city-owned parking lot at 1st Avenue and 20th Street. Mayor Carl F. Bauer said the measure is a forerunner to the city's proposed off-street parking program in which all free public-parking areas within a specified distance of the loop will be eliminated.

1979 -- 25 years ago

It will cost Rock Island County $7,850 to install a smoke detection and alarm system in the county jail. Installation of the smoke detection system will meet one of the chronic complaints from state and local fire officials. But their installation is not expected to lessen the need for a new jail. Fire officials also insist that the jail needs fire escapes, and the cost of those will be much more.

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