Day in history for March 22, 2004

1854 -- 150 years ago

John Root, who shot and killed Eric Janson, the prophet of Bishop Hill, in the courthouse at Cambridge, has been pardoned by the governor and was in Rock Island today. Root's 2-year sentence would have expired next Oct. 8.

1879 -- 125 years ago

Fifth Avenue Methodist Church has changed its name to First Methodist Church.

1904 -- 100 years ago

W.J. Nolan has sent Villa de Chantal School a necklace of gold nuggets from Alaska.

1929 -- 75 years ago

George H. McDonald has been elected president of University of Chicago alumni.

1954 -- 50 years ago

The park museum trailer, a completely new idea in this area for bringing museum displays into parks and playgrounds, has been completed in Davenport. Park employees built the trailer, including seven display cases, during the winter. Five cases can be exhibited at one time; the other two will be at the museum being made ready for a change in displays.

1979 -- 25 years ago

Thirty-seven high school students were suspended this morning after their protest of a teacher's dismissal disrupted classes. After three hours behind closed doors Wednesday night, the Orion School Board voted, 4-3, not to renew social studies teacher Carolynn Mikkelson's contract. Nearly all of the 525 students at the high school gathered in the school commons today as Principal Larry Miller talked to them, urging them to go to class.

Back: Available days in March 2004