May 3, 1932 – The Daily Iowan interviews new Iowa football coach – Ossie Solem – and the SUI mascot – Rex the ROTC Dog.

In 1932, Ossie Solem came to Iowa City as football coach to take over a hapless Hawkeye football program that had recently been suspended from the Big Ten conference. The University was also suffering from the effects of the Great Depression and could not even afford to pay Solem his full first-year salary. Ossie seemed to make light of the situation as he and Rex the ROTC Dog were “interviewed” for an article in The Daily Iowan.

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May 2, 1855 – Henry Farnam and Thomas Durant – both actively involved with the C&RI Railroad and the Rock Island bridge project – sign a contract to become the two movers-n-shakers of the Mississippi & Missouri Railroad in Iowa.

With its headquarters in Davenport, the M&M Railroad had lofty goals of building three lines in Iowa – the first running east/west from Davenport to Council Bluffs via Iowa City, the second running south from Muscatine to the Missouri border via Oskaloosa, and the third running north from Muscatine toward Minnesota via Marion/Cedar Rapids. Over the first ten years, much of the work entails casting vision, partnering with eastern-based railroads, and raising funds.

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May 1, 1839 – In order to secure a quorum for the Territorial commissioners meeting in Johnson County, Philip Clark rides on horseback 35 miles to bring John Ronalds to the meeting.

On May 1, 1839, three Territorial commissioners were to report to Johnson County, with the assignment of picking the location for the new Iowa capital city. By mid-day, only one man – Chauncey Swan – had arrived, leaving the good people of the county seat of Napoleon wondering if the whole project would be lost.

Thankfully, a 35-year-old farmer named Philip Clark saved the day! He mounted his horse, made a 35-mile trip through the wilderness, fetching a second commissioner – John Ronalds. They arrived in the nick of time – saving the future hopes of Johnson County before the strike of midnight.

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