Daily Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1854-1855, 1855-08-13
poaasaes Of Davsapar. Gazette.

ment was given BY the ..lowA LAND Con-
rAxy,a to celebrate its Foundation and its
final adoption rs the terminus of the Mis-
sissipri and Iowa Central Railroad.
Every step in the Development OF a new
State. aud especially one so marked in the
character of lis people. and SO em'nentiy Ia
voreG by the hand ca Providence with all
tina, is beautiful in nature and rich IN re-
sources, is worthy of lasting commemora-
ton. Both the occasion and the ceremonies
are classic, the precedent Of ages. The
old Romans never ran their plough around
the borders OF new city, even in the States
Of their conquered enemies, without similar
and comEon rejoicings, and such occas ions
did more to ennoble their triumphs and to
confirm their power and greatness than all
things else put together.
Blu, we must coniine ourselves to the
brief description which We proposedto give
of Wednesdays entertainment. The morn
ing proved showery and disagreeable, but
the weather cleared up after few hours
and the earth having been washed and the
air cooled bv the storm, better day could
hardly have been desired. Meantime the
preparations went on, regardless OF the
rain, and by sfternoon the large hall wa
completed, the grounds cleared up, and The
tables in readiness for setting The saloon,
which was cot up for the occasion. and de-
signed to serve also as temporary hotel,
for the accommodation Of gentlemen on the
work, and the reception Of guests, is one
hundred feet in length BY twenty-five in
breadth. The roof is supported by PEN
dent string pieces from above, SO that the
whole floor was left clear for dancing The
tables were covered with clean, white
/ cloth, and were arranged in the most taste
] ful manner by ladies from Lyons, and all
the arrangements were completed in that
rural style which is most pleasing TO the
eye, as we'll as most approp to pic
mic entertainments. The ladies' Of Fulton
had also their representation. There is
ample room for tie exercise OF taste in such
matters, and our lady friends fully set forth
/ the fact.
A neat liberty pole was also erected, IF.
/ ty five feet in height and five hundred feet,
from the river. in a conspicuous situation.
with the United States ensign flying from
| its ok, and white burgee flag underneath
with the name of the new town .Clinton'
in black letters. A large canvass sign was
posted over the roadway underneath, 'front.'
| ing The river, with The words. Terminus of
j the Mississippi and Iowa Central Railroad
| painted upon it in large letters. Seats end
q speakers stand were also provided.
+ amongst the trees. The white tent OF the
Engineer Corps stood little in the fore
ground, with the flag Of the party flying from
q rustic pole in front. A tame wolf cub
/ was chained TO one of the standards OF the
/. tent, as specimen of the natural history
Of the prairie, picked up BY the boys on
| their western survey.
/. The steamer "Aueubon," Capt Allen,
was chartered for the occasion, TO bring up
the people of Camsnche, Albany, LeClaire,
Port Byron and Moline. The steamer
Greek Slave" also landed several guests
from Davenport. The Audubon" arrived
from below about four o'clock, p. ~,
crowded with guests, ard made her landing
in good style at the ievee, opposite the
works. The company continued On board
and pursued their trip up the river to receive
their friends and neighbors the guests from
Lyons and Fulton. The celebrated brass
bands from Davenport and Leclaire were
on board and their excellent performance
contributed greatly to the spirit and gaiety
Of the scene. The boat having made her
landing at the above two points, returned
about half past four, the band playing the
Marseilleise. The whole party then landed,
and the grounds were filled at once with
company as gay and animated as we have
ever seen upon like occasion. Nothing
was wanting to add grace to the scene, or
to Gil the hearts of the entertainers with
honorable pride. both in regard to the num-
Der and character Of their guests.
The first ceremony was the laying OF the
corner stone Of free church and school
house between Second and Third streets,
on Filth Avenue. The foundation Of
church and school is the first step towards
The genuine progress Of any new communi-
ty, and the fact is of such importance, that
not merely Christians but men Of the world
are fully impressed with il. Iowa Is not
backward, nor niggardly, in making these
provisions. II was remarked by the En-
gineers on their western route that school
houses were much more substantially built
and comfortably fitted Than even the DWELL
iugs Of the people; fact which is sufficient
ly indicative OF the iar-sighted intelligence
and liberal spirit Of any commonwealth
This ceremony was attended By arroces-
sion to the spot, headed by the band play
ing. The address and benediction were
made by Rev. Charles r. Jennings Of Burl-
ington.