Day in history for July 9, 2004

1854 -- 150 years ago

Argus Editor J.B. Danforth Jr. writes that he and his wife made the trip to Niagara Falls, 724 miles, in the fast time of 33 hours. They traveled over three railroads.

1879 -- 125 years ago

Women of Rock Island are invited to a mass meeting in the Baptist church to discuss the fact that the morals of young people are threatened by an epidemic of obscene literature.

1904 -- 100 years ago

Peter Roth, 73, returning from delivering a load of berries, fell from his wagon just inside his gate. The veins of his neck ruptured and death ensued.

1929 -- 75 years ago

Cyrus McCormick Jr. and other International Harvester Co. officials today inspected the company's Rock Island, Moline and East Moline properties.

1954 -- 50 years ago

A crowd estimated to number 5,000 gathered to see the 1954 Quad-City Soap Box Derby on Harrison Street, by Vander Veer Park, Davenport. About 60 boys in their self-built racers were participating in the event. The winner will receive an all-expense paid trip to the All-American Soap Box Derby in Akron, Ohio, Aug. 15.

1979 -- 25 years ago

The merger of Palmer Junior College with Scott Community College was made final today after a board vote of the Eastern Iowa Community Colleges in Davenport. Scott Community College will absorb Palmer's assets, many full-time employees and buildings.

Back: Available days in July 2004