Day in history for March 11, 2005

1855 -- 150 years ago

There now are three companies interested in building a railroad from Rock Island to Alton in southern Illinois.

1880 -- 125 years ago

Fritz and Satan, the bloodhounds used in the new ''Uncle Tom's Cabin,'' attracted much attention as they were taken for a walk in Rock Island today. The play will be presented tonight in Harper's Opera House.

1905 -- 100 years ago

Representative Magill has introduced a bill in the Legislature for appropriation of $50,000 for a monument on Campbell's Island. The island was the site of a battle in the War of 1812.

1930 -- 75 years ago

A crowd of 25,000 watched the funeral of John ''Dingbat'' Oberta, slain Chicago gangster.

1955 -- 50 years ago

Old Washington School is gradually disappearing from the Moline landscape. As good weather prevails, workmen are speeding the work of dismantling the 81-year-old structure at 8th Avenue and 17th Street.

1980 -- 25 years ago

Len H. Small, descendant of a pioneer Kankakee family, a lawyer who became editor and publisher of The Kankakee Daily Journal and chief executive officer of six daily newspapers in three states, is dead at the age of 65. Small, chairman of Moline Dispatch Publishing Co., was killed in a two-car collision on Illinois 113 about 10 miles north of his home in Kankakee.

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