Day in history for July 21, 2004

1854 -- 150 years ago

A cyclone last night blew down chimneys and ripped away roofs all over town. Lumber stacked in lumberyards was blown around like kindling wood. River waves damaged goods in stores. Four steamboats were nearly wrecked and one deckhand was swept away and lost. The cyclone cloud was accompanied by a deluge of hail.

1879 -- 125 years ago

A heavy iron bar has been placed across the door of the city jail in Rock Island Armory, so as to render escape by prisoners well-nigh impossible.

1904 -- 100 years ago

Anna Heusing, of the post office force, has been granted a month's leave of absence.

1929 -- 75 years ago

Athletes of the present and those of a quarter of a century ago gathered yesterday as school officials laid the cornerstone for the new $150,000 Rock Island Public Schools stadium.

1954 -- 50 years ago

Two flat cars loaded with combines buckled and partially turned over at 1:30 a.m. in a switching accident at the East Moline Works of International Harvester Co. At least one combine was damaged heavily and about 50 feet of train track was torn up.

1979 -- 25 years ago

An undercurrent of gossip, confusion and fear filtered through the LeClaire Hotel today. Plans by a Moline development firm to convert the downtown landmark into a federally subsidized housing complex for the elderly have left many longtime residents fearful of what the future may bring.

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