Day in history for October 2, 2004

1854 -- 150 years ago

New residents are arriving by the hundreds every week and many others arrive, stay for a while and leave. A list of unclaimed letters at the post office, published in The Argus today, contains more than 800 names.

1879 -- 125 years ago

Pupils in the Rock Island Public Schools number 1,767.

1904 -- 100 years ago

A Rock Island Democratic Club was organized last night. J.W. Cavanaugh was elected president, H.L. Wheelan is secretary and J.W. Welch treasurer.

1929 -- 75 years ago

Edith Braun of Rock Island won a rocking chair contest in a Davenport theater. She rocked on the stage for 137 hours and 3 minutes, minus 15-minute rest periods every hour. Fourteen started the marathon a week ago.

1954 -- 50 years ago

Five sets of twins attend classes at Lourdes Memorial School, Bettendorf. Such a collection of twins, and all girls too, in the same school is unusual. The twins are Therese and Patrice DuVerney, 5; Mary and Gerry Motto, 5; Rose and Rita Carillo, 10; Joanne and Janet Welch, 12, and Ann and Helen Mohr, 13.

1979 -- 25 years ago

The Rock Island City Council, after a long debate, agreed to spend nearly $4,000 on scuba diving equipment for the police department. Police Chief Ron Hansen said seven policemen already have received scuba training.

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