Day in history for March 27, 2004

1854 -- 150 years ago

Parker Earle, Esq., will visit Rock Island, Keithsburg, Oquawka and Monmouth for mass meetings of the Maine Law Alliance. The ''Maine Law'' prohibits the sale of intoxicating liquor.

1879 -- 125 years ago

In their 24-hour match in Turner Hall, Rock Island, Sam Finley walked 72 miles and John Hass 69. The winner received $25.37 and the loser $11.81 in a division of the admission receipts.

1904 -- 100 years ago

At the Democratic County convention the Medill-Sexton faction was recognized as the regularly chosen one and its delegates were seated.

1929 -- 75 years ago

Charlotte Murray Russell won The Argus prize for the best solution of ''The Black Pigeon'' mystery story. (Since then Mrs. Russell has written more than twenty mystery novels.)

1954 -- 50 years ago

The Iowa Executive Council turned over a ''forgotten'' $10,000 personal gift to the Iowa Annie Wittenmyer Orphan Home at Davenport, more than 10 years after it was received. Dr. B.J. Palmer, owner of the Palmer School of Chiropractic in Davenport and of the Central Broadcasting Co., gave the money in December, 1943.

1979 -- 25 years ago

Shoppers at Rock Island's K-Mart Discount Store were safely evacuated when a fire broke out in the garden department Monday afternoon. The blaze may have been the work of an arsonist. A young man was seen tossing a match onto a counter containing macrame plant holders just before the fire began.

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