Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1850-1854, 1850-12-27
For the Kenosha Telegraph.
WAYSTDE GLEANINGs.

For the Kenosha Telegraph.
WAYSIDE GLEANINGs.
Mr. EDIToR:-The Mississippi between Rock
Island and Davenport is about three fourths of a
mile wide. Shall cross it? We step into
skiff, the sail is hosted, and as the wind blows
strong breeze the frail thing speeds along from
wave to wave as if endowed with the power of To-
comotion, and almost before we are aware of it we
are on the otherside of the 'mghty Mississippi
in the State of Iowa.
The village of Davenport as we'll as Rock ISL
and, is located on the bottom land between the
bluff and the river-the strip of bottom land being
much narrower here, however, than that on the OPP
posite side of the river. The population of Da-
venport is at present about 1000. The attention
of the stranger arrested by splendid Hotel call
ed the LeClaire House-somewhat larger, we
should Judge, than the Durkee House in your CITY,
On the bluff, and from which may be seen an ex-
ten<ve range Of country in both states Iowa col
lege-sustained in part, we understood by appro-
prations from the State We formed partial ac-
quaintance with of its Professors aud from this
acquaintance could butwish that our western coun-
/
sor has recently been appointed and freshman's
class organized But horse ferry boat is about to
cross to the other side, and if we do not wish to
dance along over those waves in skiffagain, with
the boat plunging this way and that way now ca
reening OH its side, diving between the waves,
and anon skipping on their backs, we must step on
beard. The ferry boat is propelled by two horses,
the power being produced by their treading the
endless chain. We should Judge the ferriage bust
ness here to be profitable from the dimes that are
taken, and from the strenuous efforts made by the
owner Of it to retain the monopoly.
Three miles above Rock Island, on the Missss-
ippi, is Moline, manufacturing village, but not
landing place. The water power here is obtained
by extending dam from the east bank of the rv-
err to an island, which of course prevents the land
! ing of boats. Above Moline on the Mississippi,
and within the limits of Rock Island CO., are the
villages of Hampton, Port Byron, and Cordovia,
but as we did not visit them shall not attempt
their description.
"Whats in name" All that the village of
Cleveland possesses, save one or two houses. This
| place is on Rock River-the eastern boundary of
Rock Island CO. 1t is yet paper village, like ma
ny others on maps, but will be as large as its
namesake on Lake Erie, schen it gro,cs enough.
The County next east of Rock Island is Henry
the principal village of which is Geneseo. We had
designed to have crossed Rock River on our way
thither, at Cleveland, but prevented by the
recent rains which had rendered the valley between
the kock and Mississippi rivers almost impassa-
bic. At one point this valley is but three or four
miles wide, and SO low and so liable to be overhown
that it is said that Indians formerly passed from
one river to the other in canoes. As we were pre-
vented from crossing at Cleveland, we were forced
| to go by the way of Camden and ford the east di-
vision of the river again When reached the
bank the water was pouring over the mill dam in a
larger volume, and the current below was deeper
and more rapid than when we crossed before In
this division of the there is also small ISL
and, and as We approached near it we were hailed
by boy who wished us to take him The lit
tie fellow with some difficulty waded through the
strong current to our vehicle and then told us his
story. He was attempting to cross the mill pond
in a slliff when his oar broke, the boat carried
over the dam and he was plunged into the water.
He however managed to retain his hold on the
boat and succeeded in getting it to the island
where we picked himup.
We were fortunate in having pilot from Cam
den to Geneseo distance of % miles, for the road
thither lay through almost entirely unsettled
country, and to have followed it without pilot,
even with the best directions that could have been
obtained, would have been chance matter.
Long before we reach Geneseo, and long after we
leave it, the large brick Academy there may be
seen towering above the artificial grove Of locust
trees which almost excludes from view the other
buildings of the village The Academy was built,
in part at least, by eastern benefactons, and is
used not only for school, but place of wor-
ship. The school is at present under the charge
Of Rev. A. Lyman, assisted by lady recently
from the east.
Geneseo was settled by colony from Western
n. Y. 1t was composed, mainly, of religious mer
who did not leave their religion behind them, and
who made sine qua of theil
settlen Mt The effect is still visible and for those
who value good society. the land around GeneseC
would be valued higher on this account. Nctwlth-
standing this, it would seem that the "banditti o
the prairies' Turk around here also. On the day
of our arrival the key of the only store in Genese'
was taken, supposed for the purpose of entering a
nipht-and on the same day house about milt
east of the village boldly entered by ruiar
for the purpose of plumber, and dirk drawn upor
the only inmate present. These, however, as yol
are aware, only specimens OF scents IN our west
ern country, and have many fac smile
A ride of 40 miles nearly east from Genese'
brings us again 10 Princeton the first place which
we visited in our recent tour, and where mus
leave your readers until more leisure (which ma.
never have) allows me to resume my pen.
EVANDER.