Iowa news. [volume] (Dubuque, Upper Mississippi Lead Mines, Wisconsin Territory) 1837-1841, 1837-07-22
From thu Now York Evsning Sta.
ROCK ISLAND AND FRS PROSPECTS.

1sOSA ASAANU AMI 10 TNOSEECIS.
There are some bright spots in this rude worlc
which exceed our most sapguine expectations
and this is one. In the beauty of the surroun
ding scenery, both on the Upper Mississippi
and the Crystal Rock, / have found imaged all
the charms l hac pictured in my youthful ina.
glnation, while reading description of the
Happy Valley in Rasselas but which never
expected to see in the world ofreality. have
no time now to relate the little incidents which
have attended the excursions have made in
the vicinity of this town, which is the county
seat of the same name.
The geography of this central point or town
OF Rock Island, on the Upper Mississippi, is
often mistaken for the island it self which lays
Just above the town, in tie midst Of the rapids,
and on which Fort Armstrong. thu old fortress
OF the western frontier, is built, Is built. Tho
island itself is beautiful epo.. but Is in mea-
sure inaccessible, and Of course nat adapted
Tor the purpose Of great commercial mart,
whereas this place is on the peninsula hrmed
by the Rock and Mississippi. and the only
place near the mouth of Rock River on which
town can be built in Illinois, and the site is
one of the most beautiful in all the western
country. 1t is situated not unlike New York /,
standing upon the Battery, and making Gov
ernor's Island the representative of Credit ISL
and, and the other fertilization towards Jersey
City as Rock Island, only the old grey fortress
"Armstrong" raises its crest higher and frowns
imperiously over this place.
The father Of waters is giant, even here,
$50 miles above st. Louis, it is estimated to
be over mile and quarter wide, and is 100
miles below Gale:,a, and about 500 miles be-
low the head of navigation at the falls of st.
Anthony. l am no believer in the thousand
ridiculous theories of canals and rail roads be-
ing made to every mans door, bur connecting
the mouth Of Rock river with the Illinois riv-
er at the termination Of the great canal now
making from Chicago, which has already at
tracted great attention from the general gov
ernment, who have had the route surveyed,
does appear to me to be channel which will
be forced open soon by the enterprise Of the
vast number of emigrants of the first class,
who are peopling the State of Illinois on Rock
river, and the Wisconsin Territory.
This being central position, have deter
mined 10 spend part Of the winter here, and
the balance on the lake at Chicago; and in the
early opening offspring. to wander up the riv-
ers and lakes, and visit Green Bay and Lake
Superior. as we'll as the principal towns on
Lake Michigan.
This place is the old Indian trading post, and
the peninsula, for years the home OF Black
Hawk. Prophets town is further up Rock
river. The present village, believe, only
dates year back, and already numbers near a
inhabitants; the very bone and sinew
of the East. A court house is now in progress
of being built here.
There ia abundance of water power only two
miles distant across the peninsula on Rock RI
yer, at the site Of Rock Island City, which has
Just commenced its rise, and bids fair to share
the rapid increase consequent upon the advan-
tages Of this region with its immense water
power, and the inexhaustible stores ofcoal on
which the surrounding country 10 based.
The only impeachment to the more rapid growth
of these places, is the extreme difficulty Of
obtaining mechanics, and lumber. for the pur-
pose OF erecting dwellings and warehouses, for
the increasing business whichis daily opening
to this town, which is the landing place and
depot, for the Rock river trade. Immense mum.
bers Of emigrants land here daily in the steam
boats from St. Louis and the lower country.
who are obliged to leave Immediately for the
want Of comfortable accommodation. Here is
wide field for some of your enterprising tav-
ern keepers, who, with small means would a.
mass competence almost in single season,
for the highest price is here charged for the
most wretched fare. Nor is it possible for any
probable increase of public houses for years to
equal the wants Of the vast crowd Of settlers
who are pouring in from every quarter. And
what may appear remarkable to the over-trading
community at the East, there is as great de-
fciency Of merchants and vendors of the staple
necessaries of life, as there is of tavern keep
ers.
While remaining here, waiting the return Of
my travelling companion, have heard more
opinions, and become acquainted with more
facts relative to Rock Island and its prospects,
than any Of the prominent places ] have lately
visited.
There remains not a doubt in my mind, but
on tho settlement Of Rock river, which is
squatting territory now, and said to be- the
fairest portion Of the whole West, this place
must have vast trade, and be the most I'M
portant and populous town above 81 LOUIS 10 u
il does not even rival that old town. Snoulua
canal be made to the Illinois river, ols1ance
of only 65 miles, II stands far cnalce q uo.
ing 80, as by that channel the treasures o. me
upper region must fall into the Lahes '',ouEn
Rock Island to Chicago, which Is no' oniy 'ne
head Of navigation the great cnalr o. LAKES.
but is situated at that precise Poin' WHERE 'cey
approach the nearest to the Mississippi tact
Of more importance THAT town 'han mas been
generally supposed.
naraIIel latitude, will both enjoy the great
thorouphfare between the Lakes and Missis-
INN; which will strengthen and foster the en-
III, 70 18th. Yours. G.. w. l..
Puissmentyl or Swearing. "A school mastcr, as
!, n,rnishment to one of his pupils for using Lam
,,re. ordered him 10 take pair of tongs and
s,tc nj hole III the hearth till he caught mouse
Incident to the command, the boy took the tongs |
I'd demurely waited iorthe expected visitor. Di-
,ct)y after, he saw mouse peeping CIT OF the
ole 10 observe il danger was near. Cautiously
cing sg Of ,he tongs on either side Of ths hole,