Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1864-05-25

complete the Great Bridge Immediately
above the railway, thick timber of rapid
growth extends to the upper point of the
island distance of nearly two miles and
half The greatest width measures one
half mile at the lower end.
You are probably aware that contin-
ual and bitter strife has been going on for
several years between the party of the
Mississippi valley and those of Chicago
Bills have been pushed forward by both
parties, and owing to the strenuous efforts
of each, neither could make headway in
establishing an Arsenal at either point,
but, the issue or more properly the con-
test, has come to a close, both gaining the
point at dispute by having the right grant
ed to them to build an Arsenal at each
point.
The work has been going on in earnest
on the isIand-the excavation has already
been made for the foundation. and the
materials are brought to the spot as expe-
ditiously as possible They have got so
far along that the laying of the corner
stone took place on the 21st of April 4
cavity was cut in the stone, into which
tin can was placed, containing a copy of
the Davenport Daily Democrat" one of
the "Daily Gazette" and the Crock ISL
and Union,' silver half-dollar and IL
manuscript containing the following:
"This stone was laid on the 2lst day
of April, A. d., 1864, being the S8th
year of American independence, and the
fourth year of the great shareholders re
bell!0n against the government of the Uni
ted States for the perpetuation and exten-
sion of African slavery.
abraham Lincoln, President of the
United States
'fRichard Yates, Governor of Illinois" "
''AIaj. c. p. Kings5ury, Ordnance De-
partment, L. S. A, commanding r. 1.
Arsenal
"Wm. Channon, Master Carpenter"
''Ricbard Lloyd, Master Mason"
Crock Island Arsenal, April p, Ga "
The size Of the structure viii be $50
feet by 90, three stories high above the
base, making in height So feet. A tower
will be erected which will project above
the main building 80 feet. The rock
used for the building is procured from the
fine quarries ID miles above the island, on
being the head of the Rapids before spoken
Of BY means Of fiat-boats the stone is
floated to the bank of the island, then
swung from the boat by means Of tempo
rary derricks to the shore.
II is expected that the building will be
rooted by November next. We think the
position the most central of any other III
the country, owing 10 its easy access by
rail or water.
While speaking of the Island, l will re-
late n circumstance in connection with the
interesting history of ii. Some years ago
a tragedy was enacted on its banks that
was of the most horrible character con-
ceivable Col. Davenport, then a resi-
dent of the island, and well known by the
early settlers, was man of good reputs.
ton. The time of the occurrence was on
a pleasant Fourth Of July, when he fell
unper the streke of murdercrs' hands,
The family had all gone TO the Illinois
side to spend the day with the assembled
people from the country. While they
were thus occupied, the leading actors in
the murder to advantage OF the tanily's-
absence, entered the Coils. residence, seiz-
ed him, and by choking and punishment
forced him to disclose the place where his
money was kept The result was that
the familp returned in the evening to find
the husband and father lying ON the floor,
murdered.
1t is possible that a few of the readers
of the Sentinel have read the thrilling mar
rative of this horrible murder and the sub
sequent capture of the notorious villains,
known as members of the dreaded ban
ditti of the Prairies.'' The perpetrators
of this crime were hunted down by one
Bony, of Rock Island, detective, who
succeeded in capturing one of the villains
in Ohio, and another in Indiana, if our,
memory serves US right. The search be
gan from point in Iowa, near Dubuke,
and resulted in their capture and hanging
at the city of Rock Island. Those who
have not read Bony's own statement with
regard to his plan of taking them, will do
we'll to purchase a publication entitled
The Banditti of the Prairie"-to be had
| at almost any book and periodical store.
| vii! vouch for the truth of this nara
tive / have heard the same facts from
| the lips of The friends and relatives of
! Col. Davenport. NORTH WESr
A gentleman who was relating an ac-
CT