Day in history for May 15, 2004

1854 -- 150 years ago

E. Reynolds now runs a regular ferry from city to island. His large flatboat for teams is pulled across by a rope attached to each shore. He conveys persons or teams at all hours.

1879 -- 125 years ago

People whose homes face the Mississippi are just waking up to the fact that the C.B. And Q. Railroad has the right to build a double track along the shore. An ordinance of 1869 gave this right of way to the old Rockford Railroad and provisions of the ordinance have been reenacted for the benefit of the C.B. And Q. Residents whose fine view will be ruined are protesting.

1904 -- 100 years ago

Twenty years ago a county fair on the 9th Street grounds was the big event of the summer. Now Rock Island businessmen are discussing revival of the fair. One difficulty is that the 18-acre 9th Street fairgrounds park is under lease to the Twin-City Driving Association.

1929 -- 75 years ago

Al Capone, Chicago gangster, was sentenced to one year in jail for carrying concealed weapons.

1954 -- 50 years ago

Hundreds of Quad-City residents today thronged Rock Island Arsenal for that installation's observance of National Armed Forces Day.

1979 -- 25 years ago

Carol Kelley, 14, of Green Rock, who crawled out on the ice of Hennepin Canal to rescue a friend, was presented a plaque for bravery from the Green Rock Police Department. Carol is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Kelley.

Back: Available days in May 2004