Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1855-11-29

containing something over 1000 acres
The rapids Of the Mississippi commence
about twelve miles above it and terminate
at its foot At the lower end of the Island
is the site of old Fort Armstrong, built in
1916. The Sunday preceding our visit
some reckless fellow put lighted cigar to
half keg of powder which was stored in
room in one of the barracks Of the Fort.
and the fire Immediately communicated to
the dry-timber Of which they were built
1t burnt several hours, and did not cease
until seven barracks and block fort, COM
p,ising almost the whole of the fine old
ruin were in ashes the officers quarters,
magazine building aud two block forts only
remain. THUS appropriately. in fire and
fame. has passed away relic of war and
hloodshed. and pioneer adventure On the
other side of the Island, half mile distant,
is the mansion Of the late Col. Davenport,
who was for more than thirty years an In
| dian trader here; be was robbed and muir
! dered by gang of outlaws on the 4rh of
July, lsi5, From 1887 to 1915 this section
was infested by band of robbers as daring
and cruel as ever cursed any country. The
Island belongs TO government, except the
hundred and fifty acres on which Col.
Davenport's residence stands and at present
is covered with heavy growth of every
kind of young timber. Since the abandon
ment Of the Fort in 1885 there is no reason
why government should not dispose of il,
and numerous efforts have been made to
obtain an order for lis sale. At present it
answers no useful end to government or
individuals. and lis being retained by the
former retards in many ways the prosperity
Of the neighborng towns and country.
The Mississippi, about mile wide, is
crossed by steam ferry, connecting Rock
Island with Davenport, in Iowa. We knew
'ha. this was the point where the great tide
| of emigration crossed the River. and the
j sight Of the moving masses prompted us 10
inquire as to the receipts of the ferry COIN
pany; We were informed that the sum taken
this season would be between ninety and
| hundred thousand dollars!
| The situation OF Davenport is one of the
most desirable. both as an enterprsing
place Of business and beautiful place of
residence, TO be found in the western States.
For some twenty miles up and down the
river the banks are generally a gentle ele-
Walton to the height Of about 100 feet, and
from the top of these bluffs one beholds
Davenport spread out upon a gently sIoping
| plain nearly two miles long and one.half
to three-fourths Of a mills wide, fronting on
the river. which runs at this point nearly
west; and the streets range parallel to the
fou. cardinal points Of the compass For
miles below the mighty Mississippi rolls on
its placid waters, curling amid its many
! islands in picturesque grandeur, until lost
| in the distance-~hiIe 10 the east, for ten
miles, most beautiful panoramic view is
presented OF the river, lis islands and bluffs.
We never witnessed a view Of more en-
chanting loneliness than the vicinity OF
Davenport presents.
Since the completion Of the railroad from
Chicago, the city has advanced with rapid
| strides. and now boasts of population Of
10000. There are ten Touring and saw
! mills, one rlow factory. two sash and blind
factories and two foundres-all operated
by steam engines, and doing thriving hush
ness. The stores, numbering over one
hundred. have passed through the transition
state, from general country groceries to
ds,inc. and well-appoin'ed establishments,
representing separately each prominent
branch of commercial enterprise. The
various churches and other pub ic buildings
are large commodious siruc,urrS-and the
air of Thrift and prosperity which p-rvad.s
the city is rs refreshin. to a stranger as it
is creditable TO The inhabitants.
| We must notice one of the greatest
achievements Of m..dern science before
| leaving this plaee-ihe bridge now being
! built over the Mississippi to connect the
| Chicago and Rock Island with the Missis-
sippi and Missouri Railroad. The people
/ oi Iowa will never consent 10 he shut out
from railroad communication with the At.
lantlc by airy obstruction which human
means can overcome. The bridge will
/ span the river on the rapids where the
current is compressed TO a narrow space,
| and cross the lowe end Of Rock Island on
a long emhankment, which eos, $40. OrO.
Its entire length will be $500 feet. consist
! ing OF spans Of $50 fee, each. exclusive of
hearings The main channel is on the
! Iowa side. and the portion of the bridge
over it is 1888 feet in length; the circular
shaped drawpier which stands near the
! center of this channel is 40 feet in height.
| On each side of the pier is draw of 1870
| feet. working on the rotary principIe-
making in all a space of $40 fe., for the
passage Of river craft; these draws are
| open a: all times except when train is
due The bridge over the Illinois channel
! has two piers and three s,aps IF i5o 60,