Day in history for July 25, 2004

1854 -- 150 years ago

The papers of the month have paid feeling and worthy tributes to the memory of that patriarch of the press, Thomas Ritchie.

1879 -- 125 years ago

Ben Cable received his racing scull today and will go into practice.

1904 -- 100 years ago

Fire destroyed two piles of lumber at the Rock Island Sash and Door Works.

1929 -- 75 years ago

The Rock Island Chamber of Commerce has arranged to revive the custom of having evening band concerts in Long View Park.

1954 -- 50 years ago

An oddity occurred on the John Wilson Broadview Brown Swiss farm, four miles southwest of Hillsdale, when Broadview Una Rod, a 7-year-old cow, dropped triplet calves. This is a rare occurrence and very few have been reported in this part of the country. The calves, two heifers and one bull, are frisky and in good health. The sire of the youngsters is Rainbow, Wilson's own herd bull.

1979 -- 25 years ago

For 80 years the Crescent Bridge carried Burlington-Northern and Milwaukee Road trains across the Mississippi between Rock Island and Davenport. However, a towboat and 12 barges crashed into the bridge May 7, and the old structure emitted ''distressing sounds'' when the next train crossed. Jim Hagle, a spokesman for Burlington-Northern, said the future of the bridge ''is in limbo'' while railroad officials attempt to determine the extent of the damage, the repair bill and who's going to pay it.

Back: Available days in July 2004