The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1852-02-05
DAVENPORT AND VICINITY.

Many years ago, before single house
marked the spot where now stand the
thriving towns Of Davenport and Rock Is
land, and when the rude wick k-e-up Of the
Indian was alone to be seen, Judge HALL,
a gentleman Of intelligence and discern
ment visited this locality. As Mr.. RED
FIELD, who preceded him and marked this
point as the crossing place Of a great Rail.
way that would at some future day span
the continent, Judge HALL predicted this
place the most desirable site for town on
the Upper Mississippi. Here is portion
Of his description:
"We doubt whether there can be found,
on the globe, tract OF country 10 compare
With this. Commencing little north Of
St. Louis and extending two hundred miles
from east to west, and the same distance
north, is to be found the most extensive
tract of rich land 10 the world. Within
these bounds the country is nearly as cap
tivating as that which we have described.
Scarcely any Of the land is subject to inun-
dation. On the contrary although incal-
culably rich, and sufficiently level for cul-
tivation, it is a high, rolling, champaign
country, and the shores Of the stream. are
mostly bold. Healthy il must be.
"At the foot Of the upper rapids is one
Of the most picturesque scenes we recollect
to have beheld. Ga the western side a
series Of slopes are seen rising one above
another for considerable distance, until
the back ground is terminated by chain
af beautifully rounded hills, over the whole
Of which trees are thinly scattered. On
the other side Of tho river is broad fiat
plain Of rich alluvion several miles in
length, and more than a mile in breadth,
and terminated by a range Of wooded bills
-on this prairie is small village of the
Sank and Fox Indians, composed of rude
lodges scattered carelessly about. Their
chief village was few miles in the interi-
|or; and it was for the possession Of this
beautiful country that The followers of
Bsck Hawk coniended, 10 the recent war
which resulted in such disastrous conse-
quences to the i'll fated tribe. In front Of
the landscape, and presenting its most
promnen, feature is Rock Island the wes-
tern shore Of which is washed by the main
current Of the Mississippi, while the cas-
tern side is separated from the main land
by narrow channel, which is fordable in
low water. The southern point Of the is-
land is elevated about forty feet above the
ordinary level of the river. and is supported
Ivy a perpendicular parapet of rock. Here
stands CQrt Armstrong. strong and very
ncat work, garrisoned by two companies
Of United States troops; aud here will be
one Of the most desirable sites for town
upon the Upper Mississippi. Rock River
which enters into the Mississippi few
miles below the island, is rapid stream,
which may be easily rendered navigabie
and which affords abundant water power
for the propulsion Of any kind Of machine
ry. Tho whole Of the region is fruitful,
healthy, and agreeable to the eyes. Here
the wild honey suckIe flourishes luxuriant
"; thousands Of acres are covered with the
wild gooseberry, plum, grape, mulberry and
other indigenous fruits, ard The soil teens
with the richest beauties of Providence"