Day in history for June 5, 2004

1854 -- 150 years ago

A deck hand, James Lafferty, fell overboard from the steamboat Jenny Lind and drowned. He passed under the wheel and was seen to rise, but he sank before help could be given him.

1879 -- 125 years ago

Twenty lumber and log rafts passed down the rapids here the past week and more are on their way.

1904 -- 100 years ago

Two thousand people attended the concerts by the Innes Band at the Watch Tower Park yesterday.

1929 -- 75 years ago

Grant School, Moline, remains under quarantine because of 12 cases of smallpox among pupils. Only children who have been vaccinated may return to classes.

1954 -- 50 years ago

The job of supplying better materials for big, high-speed aircraft has taken a step forward with the start of production by the world's largest tapered sheet rolling mill. The big 144-inch mill has begun rolling extra wide tapered aluminum sheet and plate for the aircraft industry at the Davenport Works of Aluminum Company of America.

1979 -- 25 years ago

Local taxpayer groups are scheduling a meeting at 7 p.m. Monday in Hauberg Center to discuss the Rock Island County Jail bond referendum. The Homeowners Taxpayers Association of Illinois and the Rock Island County Federation of Taxpayers, of which Fred Stahr is president, also are holding a rally encouraging voters to vote against a new jail.

Back: Available days in June 2004