The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1853-11-17
DAVENPORT.

impressions ofa stranger, prejudiced in favor
of the Illinois side Of the river, they can be
received without any allowance
Difean .Eaeigatioa-De1qy Of Trard md Of
.Ncrctandise-Tae s.Good Time eiose at Hand
First impulse .fireadg Fctt-GrorA Of DGreapuf
-.datoine lie Claire, Esq.--Ftrst Loe0mottee an
iowa.
DAVENPORT, Oct. 2Sth.
This city, like its neighbor across the
river, is suffering just now the annoyance OF
not having reliable and speedy means OF
communication with the outside world. The
stage of water in the Mississippi is SO low
that but very few boats indeed attempt to
ascend the lower rapids, and these carry but
little freight and are subjected to go many
delays in making the passage that but few
travellers embark upon them. Passengers
from this place to ST. Louis prefer, in many
instances, taking the stage to Keokuk, and
some 90 across to Sheffield and thence by rail
.oad via LaSalle and Bloomington. | find
that most of the travel from Northern Iowa
to the South goes by the way of Chicago in
preference to the river route. Freights to
st. Louis are excessively dear, but the price
would be submitted to cheerfully could there
be any certainty as to the receipt Of goods.
am told that all the warehouses at heokuh
are full of goods for the country above the
rapids and that large quantities are piled up
under temporary sheds. Present prospects
are that these goods will either lie over
where they are, until spring, or be wagoned
from Keokuk to their destination. While
such are the facts in regard to the receipt Of
merchandise, it is equally difficult to forward
the surplus products of the country to mar
ket Freights eat up the principal value,
besides which when Shipments made there
is no certainty that it will reach its destina-
ton before the setting in Of winter.
| 1t is not wonderful, therefore, that DaVen-
lport, and indeed all that region OF country
north Of thu lower rapids, should watch the
approach of railroads from Chicago with
deep solicitude Henceforth, these are to be
the chief dependence for travel and fer com
merce. In summers heat, when the rocks OF
the Mississippi come to the surface Ike So
many huge monsters Of the deep in search Of
nrey-in winters SHOWS, "hen the "Frost-
Kinp. has brilged the river in defiance ofthe
statute concerning nayigable tteans--undeF
anv and all vicisstudes of time and climate,
the "iron river and the ''iron boat VIII be
to these people sure reliance, an ever pres
ent facility for travel and transportation OF
products. and source of constantly accumu-
lifting wealth. Already has the impulse OF
it's early coming impaired new energy and
enterprise throughout this whole region. In
Davenport are its effects especially visible,
in the rapid growth Of the city, the activity
of its citizens and the improvements in pro-
cTess in the country around am to-. that
| between three and four hundred buildings
| have been erected here during the present
| wear. Some of these are tasteful and costly
| residences that would be creditable to our
LARGEST cities Some fine business houses
are included in the number, and last, though
not least, notice splendid stone edifice GO
ling up on a commanding eminence, deslgne(
for Zee school This building, Understand
will cost, when complete, some six or sever
thousand dollars. could not, while examin'
| inc its plan. and standing upon the high
| ground which it occupies, but admire the
good Judgment and taste which determined
| It's location. From its windows, the eyes ot
the youth who obtain their early lessons
within it, will behold picture Of most en-
chanting loveliness. Davenport, Rock Is
land. Moline, the Old Fort, the great river and
its numerous islands, the high grounds on the
opposite side, the passing steamer, the thun-
dering train Of cars-all these will be seen
at single glance. What associations O
beauty, OF wealth and greatness, Of the trl,
umphs Of genius over the elements ofnature
will connect with the school-boy rccoilec.
tions Of those for whom this free school i:
building, when years shall have transferred
them from its halls to the walks and duties
of an active manhood
! YESTERDAY, in company with friend,
tIaid nv respects 10 Antoine lie Claire, ESQ,
the original proprietor of this city. We
found him Just recovering from a recent III
ness. but able to receive company and inter-
est them with his stores of knowledge con-
cerning the early history of the county
! Mr.. lie Claire's conversational faculties are
OF high order-his recollection OF past
events vivid and accurate, and his hospital
! itv and courtesy to strangers are such a. TO
\ endear him to all who have the good fortune
10 make his acquaintance. He is perhaps
the wcalthiest man in the State, and. unlike
too many in his position, he makes good
use of his riches Davenport is largely in
debted to him for her present prosperity
The lie Claire House," the best hotel |
know Of west Of Chicago, and the remainder
of the fine brick block of stores and offices,
extending from street TO street, is but ore OF
the evidences of his enterprise and public
spirit. When it was proposed to extend the
Chicago and Rock Island railroad across the
State Of Iowa, Mr.. lie Claire subscribed
twenty five thousand dollars TO the capital
stock, and gave up his own homestead to
accommodate the company with grounds tor
their depot near the bridge. This gentle
man has been for long while intimately
identified with our government in its inter-
course with the Indians Of the Northwest.
From 1916 to 1885, be was constantly in its
employ, and during this time, in the capac:-
ty OF Interpreter, he attended the officers OF
our government in some ten or twelve Inn
portant treaties. Speaking both English
and French with tluency, familiar also with
dozen or more Indian dialects, his mother
being the granddaughter Of chief, and his
wife the descendant OF another, his influence
with the Indians has been greater perhaps
than that of any other man, and his services
have consequently been of much value 10
the United States. His present residence
stands upon the identical spot which was cc-
cupied by the Marquee Of Gen. Scott dur
ing the treaty held here in 1892 with the
Sac and Fox Indians. The cholera was
prevailing at that time among the soldiers
in the Fort, and the treaty instead OF being
held on the Island was, from prudential con-
siderutions, transferred to the main shore,
thouuh NOT outside of the range of the guns