Day in history for October 19, 2004

1854 -- 150 years ago

People turned out in large numbers at Monmouth to hear Illinois' distinguished senator, Stephen A. Douglas. He spoke for three hours and was heckled at times by a few wagonloads of anti-slavery fanatics, some of whom had ridden 30 miles just for that purpose.

1879 -- 125 years ago

The upsetting of a kettle of boiling rosin caused a fire in Moline which destroyed the paper bucket factory and paint shop of Dimock, Gould And Co.

1904 -- 100 years ago

Capt. George Tromley, Sr., a veteran Mississippi River pilot, is dead. He was born in Canada in 1828. Almost his whole life had been devoted to steamboating.

1929 -- 75 years ago

When the owner of a Swedona store and his son discovered burglars at 2 a.m. today, a gun battle took place which resulted in the death of one burglar and the wounding of two others.

1954 -- 50 years ago

A bee buzzing around her head while she was driving caused Mrs. Esther Young, 54, of 1436 44th St., Rock Island, to hit a curb at 16th St. and 27th Ave., Moline, about 12:45 this afternoon.

1979 -- 25 years ago

Clouds may be gathering over the rest of the nation's economy, but the sun continues to shine over the Quad-Cities, analysts say. Figures compiled by the Quad City Development Group show the local economy is holding up pretty well.

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