Day in history for November 17, 2006

1856 -- 150 years ago

A barge of the steamer Metropolitan came down the river several days ago, struck the draw pier at the bridge and swung around against the pier on the north side. One man was knocked overboard and drowned and several were injured.

1881 -- 125 years ago

A small blaze at the Harper House was soon extinguished last night.

1906 -- 100 years ago

Mr. and Mrs. John Streckfus Monday will entertain at a pink dinner in honor of their daughter, Miss Lillian.

1931 -- 75 years ago

The Playcrafters, Rock Island's little theater group, have completed rehearsals and are ready to present Booth Tarkington's play, ''The Trysting Place,'' at the Fort Theater for three nights beginning tomorrow.

1956 -- 50 years ago

A gas war was developing in Rock Island and Moline today as several of the major companies asked their dealers to drop the price of gas from two to three cents a gallon. The depressed prices for most stations participating in the feud were still at 27.9 cents a gallon for regular and 30.9 for premium.

1981 -- 25 years ago

Rock Island councilmen voted 5-2 Monday to transfer .8 of an acre to the Mississippi Valley Girl Scout Council Inc., which plans to spend $500,000 building a 7,000 square-foot office structure next to the Spencer Towers senior citizen public housing complex.

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