The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1854-07-27
A Day a. Rock Island and Davenport.

A Day at Rock Island and Davenport.
Our cotemporray Of the Chicago Demo-
cratic Press passed the 4th in this locality
and on his return to the duties Of his Office
gave an article as above entitled in relation
thereto an extract from which will be found
below and should have been published soon
er but wss mislaid
"Of the position, beauty or importance
Of the cities of Rock Island and Davenport,
seated rs they are not unlike the ancient
''imperial city, on its seven hills, il il me-
cessary to expend word. We found the
two sisters swarming with visitors from the
surrounding country, and the largest liber-
| ty for the largest number seemed to be the
order of tho day. There had been no gene
raj celebration planned, but numerous par
ties were annoying themselves each in their
own way and manner. Flags were flying
upon many of the hills. house-tops, and Aag-
stats. The steamers in the river were
decked in all their gala SUITS. an old cam
non on the river bank was nearly bursting
with repeated expressions of unmistakeble
patriotism, echoed and re-echoed from hill
top to hilltop, emulated by dozen of mus
kcts and horse-pistols, whose voices seem
ed sadly overstrained. and minicked BY
thousands Of squbs and crackers which had
evidently combined to cast all ridicule pos
sible upon their more consequential rcla-
tives. Parties, pic-nics, excursions BY the
river or on the shore, trips to the old fort on
the island, shady nook on the river bank;
or commanding prospect, higher up, all
claimed their yotaries and received full
share Of participants.
AS for ourselves, we claimed the privi-
leges Of a stranger, roamed freely every
where, accepted more invitations, made
more fitting acquaintances, and enjoyed
ourselves more hugely than we can ever re-
duce to memory or description. Ih beau.
tiful grove on a gentle slope rising back
from Davenport and overlooking long vis-
ia Of the Mississippi, were a party of boys
aud girls enjoying themselves as only chill
dren can,whle the pleased look Of the nioth-
crs who mingled among them, and drew
forth from well stored baskets the DELICIOUS
loases of cake and tempting clusters Of
fruit, showed that a joyless boisterous but
Of more exquisite perfection was reserved
TO- their lot In another grove in Rock Is
land and not far from the river, wide spread
tables, grooming with their weight of coed
things, and surrounded by hilarious crowd
of the so7ereigns, announced another ova.
ton to the Goddess of Liberty. On one Of
the steam ferries we found ourselves in
company with picnic party bound some-
where above the Island, and accompanied
with liberal store of refreshments, among
which ton or two Of ice was not the least
conspicuous. Returning from the little
steamer in small boat by way Of the Is
land and Fert Armstrong. we rambled :
brief moment among the dilapidated fortif-
cations, now in their desertion recalling to
mind the nearly forty years OF moving inci-
dents and important events that are ass0efs
ated with their existence. Gazing up the
-:..1-. r---sL- ii--~A A5snor.-s-,~---4.S---ss--
the mighty stream whose sources rise in
picturesque retreats far north among the
laughing waters to mingle in majestic digni..
ty with the SOUTHERN sun kissed waves Of
distant ocean, we accepted it as symbol Of
our nations progress and an esef-speaking
precept of progression to the millions tetto
people the noble valley that glories id the
patrimony Of its name. With brain full
Of reveres Of the past, present and future,
we returned to the LIE Claire House just in
time to sit down to a suIRptuous repast, in
the enjoyment Of which we forgot al about
Black Hawk, broaAhorns and BY gone tales
of the Boatmen.
'It is not our purpose to speak Of the busi-
ness of Rock Island, or we might easily de-;
vote column to its many advantages and
favorable prospects. In our opinion i is
destined to an Importance for which we i'm
agine it is yet hardly credited by its citizens
or friends When we say Rock Island, we
intend to include both sides Of the FLYER, tot
we consider their interests as nearly identic-
al. Since the opening Of the Rock Island
Railroad, the businessis is already exceeding
the anticipations Of the most sanguine-
We are especially pleased with the place.
as well as the frank and generous bearing
of its inhabitants. We were everywhere
met with aspitit of polteness and soeiality
that made us at once at home. The day so
often marred by unpleasant scenes and oc-
currences, passed off in the most agreeable
manner. We saw not single instance Of
intoxication, nor did we hear OF any acct'
dent to alloy the pleasures OF the day."