The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1861-06-18

patriotic impulses which he lately evil
denced he would have recovered the
good opinion of the people, and been re-
garded by a large mass with even a
great degree veneration. II oughout
the whole of our route, as far as we had
an opportunity of observing. the utmost
respect has been paid to his memory.
Flags are everywhere floating at half
mast, and in vast number of instances
buildings are draped with the emblems
of mourning. Even the railroad trains
running out from Chicago are thus pro-
fusely draped.
Taking the cars at half past six p. NJ,
at Dunleith, and coming via La Sale,
we arrived here at six o'clock A. M. the
next morning, after pleasant nights rest
in the luxurious sleeping cars OF the
Chicago and Rock Island Road. Cross
ing the river on the famous Rock Island
bridge, certainly most substantial
structure, but dangerous obstruction to
the navigation of the river, our train
stopped at the door of the Burtis House,
a hotel Justly the pride of every Daven-
porter, and one whose hospitality, once
enjoyed, will always be remembered
with pleasure. The hotel probably is
the largest in the State, and is, architec-
tually, a handsome structure. It's inter
ior adornments and appointments are de.
cidedly luxurious, and the larder calcula
ted to satisfy the most epicurean taste.
DR.. BURTIs is, without qualification, the
most genial host we have ever had the
man of great good nature and large
heart, and treats his guests as if each
were a personal friend, and guest by
special invitation. Above all other men
we have ever met, the Dr. is calculated
to keep a hotel"
Davenport, to our mind, is the most
beautiful city in the State. The natural
beauty of its location is not surpassed by
that of any city east or west that it has
been our good fortune to visit The
bluffs which line the Mississippi, here
set back from the river a considerable
distance, leaving broad, dry, level pla-
teau upon which TO build the city The
bluffs, too, are not 50 high, and do not
rise so abruptly, as at Dubuque. They
are readily graded for streets, and on
their sides as well as summit, furnish ex-
cellent building sites. The largest and
best portion of the residences are on the
bluff, and are uniformly Of an excellent
class, many of them quite costly. They
are invariably surrounded with abun-
dance OF shade trees and flowers and
shrubbery. In fact almost every street
in the city is more or less shaded, and
beautiful towering vines and bushes
climb around and adorn The larger por-
ton Of residences, even in the lower por-
ton of the city, The streets, too, are
wide, and run at ri ght angles. The bus
mess blocks are generally large, fine,
substantial structures, and even iG these
hard times seem to be well occupied, and
TO give gratifying evidence of bust
ness activity. Davenport, with the 9TH
er river towns, has suffered a good deal
from the financial revulsion, but her vi
tality is still great, and increasing. Her
beautiful location attracts, aud many
from the South, compelled by the troub
les there to give up business aud fud n
new home, are settling here.
Antoine lie Claire, one ofth first set
tiers of the State, and probably the
wealthiest man in the State, has n fine
residence, and from il can be obtained a
view that cannot We believe be surpass-
ed in the whole country. We mention ii
simply because Of this view. 1t is situ
ated on a prominent point of the bluff TO
the north Of the city, and from it the
river, shining in the sunlight like a
bright mirror, can be seen for MANY
miles north and south, with its high.
butiy banks covered now with the green
est verdure. Davenport, Rock Island,
and Moline are all in full view, and right
at the foot, is the Rock Island bridge.
spanning the river with lis five hundred
yards OF massive timbers and cables.
There are two bridges--one, two or three
hundred feet in length, extending from
the Illinois side To Rock Island, and the
other, the main bridge. 800 feet long,
extending from Rock Island TO the Iowa
side. There is no doubt that the bridge
is a material obstruction to navigation.
1t is at the foot of the Rapids. where the
current Is very strong, and only the
greatest care can prevent disaster be-.
cause of the enoroachment of the strong
stone piers upon the channel. We have
immediate evidence of its capacity for
destruction. in partial view OF the
sunken hull of the Grey Eagle, now "
ing on the lower part of Rock Island,
which boat was completely wrecked but
few weeks ago. So bitter are the riv-
er men towards the bridge, that falling.
after great expenditure Of money TO
heve it removed BY the Courts, they have
several times attempted to burn it, and
now strong armed guard is kept CON
stantly upon it, yigilantly watching TO
prevent further attempts for its destruc-
ton. But il adds 10 the view Of which
we were speaking, aud. to return 10 that.
we sum up by saying that for a combl-
nation Of city and country, water and
land, hill and valley, We have never seen
a finer landscape than that presented
from Mr.. lie Claire's residence.
Davenport has many manufacturing
establishments, among which are Furni'
ture, Carriage, Steam Bag Starch, Vim.
nfyor onJ thar xp1rl.s Ia we'll