Day in history for May 10, 2004

1854 -- 150 years ago

Twenty-three grizzled old men, all veterans of the War of 1812, met at the courthouse to discuss Congressman Wentworth's pension bill in Congress. Most of the men came to this region when they received bonuses in the form of warrants for 80 or 160 acres of free land.

1879 -- 125 years ago

There are 100,000 women in New York who support themselves. Many girls work in stores for $2 a week. Half of the working women earn less than $3.50 a week and must try to take care of themselves on that amount.

1904 -- 100 years ago

Graham Lee of Rock Island, who 10 years ago became one of the first missionaries to Korea, writes that he and his family are all right, despite difficulties arising from the Japanese-Russian war.

1929 -- 75 years ago

Capt. Einar Paul Lundberg, leading flier of Sweden, visited Rock Island.

1954 -- 50 years ago

Six good neighbors plowed, disked and harrowed land on the farm of the injured Reuben Bohman of Alpha. Bohman incurred a back injury while he was helping in the vaccination of hogs.

1979 -- 25 years ago

Seven grain-filled barges, cut loose from a towboat buffeted by strong river currents, crashed into the Government Bridge and Dam 15 at Rock Island at about 4 this morning. Corps of Engineers officials said six barges went under the bridge into the dam, and one barge was stuck on a bridge abutment. The pile-up has sent river levels up about 14 inches.

Back: Available days in May 2004