Daily Iowa State Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1859, 1859-01-20

an Indian town This first landing of the
voyagers could not have been at the lower
rapids rs has been asserted 10y some histor-
lane. for the time wa. not sufficient for them
to have made the voyage in their canoes
between the 18th and the alst. The far.
Of there having been an Indian village here
from time immemorial, fixes the point most
conclusively, that here. upon this very spot.
was the soil Of Iowa first trodden bv white
men. There were other villages in this
vicinity; one in the ravine at East Daven-
port, and one on the plateau Of ground
now occupied with the farm Of the honor.
honorable Mayor, below the city. The re-
mains Of these villages were still visible
when our settlement first began, and many
Indian graves were to be seen along Scott
and Third streets, and in the excavations of
more recent date for improvements, many
relics have been brought to light Of the
slorigencies Of our country. But the
Indian had gone! The last sad remnants
Of his race are fleeing before the white men
-persecuted pilgrims towards the setting
sun. the victims Of sverice and ambition, to
the Anglo Saxon race. lie has bid his last
farewell to the hunting grounds OF his
fathers, ard uttered his last fainting wall over
the graves of his ancestors. lneAorable
fate has impelled him onward, the child Of
destiny and the last Indian trail OF Iowa is
nearly extinct After some further remarks
regarding the Indian and an apt quotation
Of q few lines Of poetry the lecturer pro-
ceeded:
l cannot describe to you my first impress
sion on seeirg Iowa. Although . treaty
had been made with the Indians, still they
fingered around the spot 50 dear to them !;
q large number were living upon little
creek above Renwick's mile. and band Of
300 Pottawatamies were encamped upon
Black Hawk Creek below the city. In
passing over the prAiries of Iowa at that
day. one could not but h.ve the idea that
he was travelling through an old deserted
country destitute Of inhabitants. its tene-
ments gone TO ruin by some sweeping DESC
lation that had carried away its people,
Nothing was known at this date (lS37) of
the country lying west Of us to the Missouri
River. except the tale of the Indian and the
trapper.
After some few additional remarks he
proceeded, thus did l see Iowa in 1887, and
from q population of 5000 have seen it
grow to population Of nearly 500, 900. and
our own city from few small cabins to
its present size and Importance. l cannot
portray to you my own feelings as now
stand upon yondsr bluff and gaze upon the
scene-so changed-which is spread out be.
fore me- Feel that am stranger in my
own land, and when traverse through the
length and breadth Of Iowa, and find her
vast wilderness changed from barbarian to
civilization and beauty, when behold the
advancing progress Of our land. am lost IN
wonder and amazement at so great change
in 60 short time. In 1887 there was but
one county in Iowa. and that extends from
the mouth of Des Moines River to Prairie
du Chen. Then the settlemen were con-
fined to the narrow limits along the Missis-
sippi River; but nom there are more than
100 counties, and not only the cultivated
field but towns and villages all over the
land. How well do | remember the beauti- :
ful ground, upon which our city now stands.
Then there were no marks Of civilization
above Harrison street, except the residence
Of Antoine lie Claire where the depot now
stands. Ulon the brow Of the bluff where
my present residence is situated, were the
graves Of the early dead. In my garden
was the first burying ground Of the city Of
Davenport, which was removed in ls4s.-
Here were deposited the remains of DIR.
Emerson, the owner Of the celebrated Dred
Scott. % After some further remarks, regard
ing the pioneers, and an apt apostrophe to
tho Father Of Waters, he gave short des-
cription Of the coil Of Iowa, stated the
developments made by geological surveys
and spoke at some length Of those natural
curiosities, the Walled Lakes. Regarding
these lakes he differed with those who sup
pose them to be the work Of art. His
opinion was that they were formed by
ice lie also mentioned the district Of coun-
try between the Chs.cau or skunk, and the
Dss Moines rivers, which has the appearance
of having been covered by lake, and stat
ed the fact that black walnut logs, in .
perfect state of preservation, had been found
twenty five feet below the surface. He
then proceeded to treat of the glorious fu-
ture Of the State-ofthe rail roads which
were to be built. the factories 70 be erected.
Of her mineral wealth. which remained TO
be developed, her inexhaustable coal fields,
her institutions of. learning, and her system,
of common schools After an eloquent
peroration. Of which the following are the
concluding paragraphs. he at down amid
loud applause.
Financial difficulties may for time still
the impetuous current Of . fast pesple-a
cloud Of darkness may for time obscure
our horizon: but tell you, sir. the fertile
soil OF Iowa can never rest untitled, unsets
tied and uncultivated. The fat Of fate has
stamped upon her mighty events in the fu-
turA We love to believe that " can puah
away the misty vail. that hides from ~ the
future, and look along the majestic river.
bsholding thronging towns and cities upon
its banka The destiny Of Iowa 10 6xsd.-