Day in history for November 23, 2005

1855 -- 150 years ago

Henry Farnam, president of the Chicago and Rock Island Railroad, was here Wednesday and is urging all possible speed in the completion of the bridge spanning the Mississippi.

1880 -- 125 years ago

The ferry boats Annie Girdon and the Minominee went into winter quarters here.

1905 -- 100 years ago

``The Two Johns'' will be the attraction at the Illinois Theater tomorrow night.

1930 -- 75 years ago

Rock Island's youth came forward today with a mightly avalanche of food for the relief of the city's unemployed. The lobby of the Fort Theater, which cooperated with The Argus in holding a ``Grocery Matinee'' this morning, was heaped with contributions from more than 300 boys and girls.

1955 -- 50 years ago

Approximately 200,000 Quad-Cities residents faced a severe milk shortage today as 300 workers in nine dairies went on strike to enforce demands for higher wages.

1980 -- 25 years ago

Brooks McCormick's last day of work at International Harvester Co. marked, to the day, his completion of 40 years with the company. McCormick retired as chairman of IH's executive committee at age 63 1/2, a year-and-a-half before Harvester tradition required him to.

Back: Available days in November 2005