Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1863-07-01


sun shining down from above and reflect
ed back from the waters beneath, roasted
and stewed them and the passengers
Most of the freight and the male passen
gers were put on board lighters and &
small steamer, and at last the rapids were
passed.
The location of Nauvoo reflects credit
upon the foresight of the Mormons, and
if they could have maintained their po-
sition there, it would have become large
city. A part of the walls of their ruined
temple still stands, and can be seen for
six or eight miles. The town is now
dwindling away, and it is very unlikely
that it will ever be resuscitated. Fort
Madison is a hourishing village, appar-
emily of one or two thousand inhabitants.
Burlington, once the capitol of Iowa, is
one of the handsomest towns on the riv-
er, and is built partly upon the bluffs,
which here begin to loom up and charac-
terize the shores of the river in this most
picturesque portion of the long journey
from its source to the Gulf of Mexico
Black Hawk, the Indian chieftain once
dwelt here, and here he was buried
Oquawka, Illinois, is very attractive
town, beautifully situated, and having
many handsome dwellings Muscatine,
Iowa, is at the apex of curve of the
Mississippi, and on the summit of bold
range of rock bluffsy, seen from the river
twenty or thirty miles away 1t is said
to be one of the most active towns in
the State. Davenport, at the foot of the
upper rapids, is one of the finest and
most fourishing towns on the river, and
Is connected with Rock Island on the H.
linois side by the famous Rock Island
bridge, which is one of the greatest nui-
sances and hindrances to the navigation
of the Mississippi that could well be in
agined. Here, as everywhere along the
Mississippi above the mouth of the Ohio,
one fact strikes the traveller, viz that in
every instance the largest, most populous
and most hourishing towns are found on
the west bank of the river The proba-
bic cause of this is the fact that the
course of trade is from the west to the
east, all agricultural and mineral prod
ucts of the vast west seeking an eastern
market. The products of the country
west of the river, when they reach it,
"break bulk )" part goes down or up
the river, and part seeks the railroad
pointing eastward. Those of the coun-
try east of the river seek the nearest rail-
road station, and are carried east
ward and do not come to the river at all.
Whatever may be the cause, the fact is
evident to the most careless observer that
the most prosperous towns are all on the
west side of the river.
The towns between Davenport and Du-
buque, (about -one hundred and thirty
miles) are small and seem to be feeling
the effects of the war the banks of the
river gradually rise higher, and the bluffs
nearer. Islands without num-
ber, covered with rank prairie grass, will
lows and stunted trees, whose deep green
contrasts beautifully with the dark wat
ers are in sight at all times. Along the
steep bluffs as we approach Galena, are
seen many holes in the rock, made by
miners in search of lead ore which
abounds in this section
Dubuque occupies an elevated terrace |
which stretches along the river for many
miles, and is in the midst of a most pic |
turesque country. Behind it the hills
rise high and on their slopes some of its
,itizens have erected tasteful and beau
tiful homes. 1t is the Oldest town in
Iowa, having been settled by the French
as its name indicates, in the year 1856.
Above Dubuque the scenery of the Mis-
;issippi becomes more grand and beau
Liful, the bluffs rising higher and higher
AZ we proceed, and affording to travellers
/ constant succession of views which |
must be seen to be appreciated, but can
not be fitly described. One of the most |
prominent of the high bluffs is ''Catlin's
Rock, some twenty miles above Lacrosse,
and which towers up 500 feet above the |
river. 1t is in the form of cone, which |
seems to have been cut in halves by some |
Titan, the perpendicular part facing the
liver, and the other sloping off gradually, |
md covered with waving prairie grass
md white cedars almost to its summit
some years ago when Catlin was taking |
he sketches for his Panorama of the |
he carved his name upon the
side of the bluff, some forty
eet from its base, and the question is,
how did he get there?"- Our captain
informs us that on his last trip down, he /
lad on board about six hundred Indians,
Sioux and Winnebagoes, whom the Gov
was removing from the scene of |
he Indian troubles to the country on
he upper MissouririVer, and they begged
lin to stop at this rock that they might
,et white cedar for medicine, assuring
lin that they would certainly die if they
ould not get this medicine. He compli-
d with their request, stopped the boat,
nd they soon returned loaded with ce-
lar boughs, and greatly pleased.
A few miles above is Mount Trempe-
eau, and the village of that name, the
enter of scenery as grand and varied as
yes ever gazed upon. Before and be-
lind stretches the broad Mississippi,
tudded with islands, its silvery waters
efecting back the light of the setting
un to the south, still plainly visible,
7ere Catlin's rock and the high bluffs be-
ond it; to the east stretched a broad,
at prairie covered with green prairie grass
inged with yellow, and grain fields just
ipening for the harvest; nesting down at
IL foo+ ,f b:ob kills iitfIa vii |