Day in history for December 31, 2004

1854 -- 150 years ago

The Rock Island County Agricultural Society will hold its annual meeting and fair Jan. 3. The Argus editor started this society two years ago but he now feels that it is ruled by a clique and shows partiality in its awards.

1879 -- 125 years ago

The fair held near Hampton was successful in producing $50 for uniforming the village band.

1904 -- 100 years ago

A locomotive exploded two miles outside Davenport and blew the engineer and firemsn, both Iowa men, to eternity. Three crew men from Rock Island and one from Moline were injured. Low water in the boiler caused the explosion.

1929 -- 75 years ago

The price of milk in the Quad-Cities will rise from 11 to 12 cents a quart as the new year of 1930 begins.

1954 -- 50 years ago

Safe crackers escaped with more than $300 from the Port Byron Post Office and the Gilbert Store last night. Big safes were blown or torn open at both the post office and the store, located across the street.

1979 -- 25 years ago

East Moline police are searching for the youngsters believed to have stolen a $3,000 two-way radio from a derailed diesel engine laying idle near the John Deere Harvester Works spur line at 7th Street. The youths also destroyed two $200 fire extinguishers in breaking 14 windows worth $900 and two headlights worth $40.

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