Day in history for April 16, 2002

1852 -- 150 years ago

A base wretch was introduced to a lovely Rock Island girl of 16. He pressed her hand and said the recent sleighing had rendered her more lovely than ever. She blushed. Her parents then considered the matter settled, but the wretch has deserted the young lady.

1877 -- 125 years ago

J.T. Kenworthy's 12 and one-half pound boy has been beaten by Major Beardsley's 13 pounder, born this morning.

1902 -- 100 years ago

Four Pekin ducks, supposedly stolen from Mrs. Julius Gehie, Rock Island, have appeared in the river. They went down the 24th St. storm drain at 9th Ave. and emerged after four days.

1927 -- 75 years ago

The county board of supervisors endorsed a proposed 2-cent state tax on each gallon of gasoline to provide money for paved highways.

1952 -- 50 years ago

Mrs. Roy H. Hufford, Moline, has just finished her 167th rug, and this one covers all past records. Her newest, a 9-by-12 all-wool braided oval, took the Moline housewife two months to complete. ``It would have taken any normal person six years,'' declared her daughter, Mrs. Stanley Frederick of Port Byron.

1977 -- 25 years ago

``Get up, the train's coming into our house,'' Gerald Patz yelled as a railroad car landed in his yard. The train came no closer, however, as 26 cars spilled off the Burlington tracks and piled up near the elevator in downtown Hillsdale about 7:20 this morning. The cause of the derailment was undetermined.

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