The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1866-12-26
NEW MAIL ROUTE WANTED.

Last week we laid out a plan to farnish
the people up Rock River with . triweekiy
mail. The interest manifested BY the people
of that valley in the matter, induces US to re-
produce that article, with some corrections
and improvements together with the form of
q petition to congress on the subject.
There is broad strip of country all along
on both sides of Rock River, from the Moline
bridge to Sterling, that is almost wholly des-
titute of any mail facilities. 1t is country
of wonderful richness and fertility and Is dai.
~ increasing in wealth and population. In
agricultural and mineral wealth it has no So
perior AL along up that great valley the
Inhabitants, from fye to ten miles of the riv.
sr, ere destitute of mail facilities. 1t was
once the route of the mail coaches from this
city to Chicago, but since she building Of
railroads that mail route.has been abandoned
almost the whole distance and the people
compelled to Co. either to the Mississippi Riv
er or to the line of the Chicago & Rock Island
Railroad for mail facilities. The roads, al
the way from this CITY to Sterling, are q.
good as can be found in any other region
They are fenced up, we'll worked, and have
good substantial bridges, and there is no rea
son in the world why people possessing al
the elements of prosperity and progress should
be cut of from daily or at least .ri-weekly
mail communication with the bushes,
world.
The valley of Rock River is the finest stool
country in the world, and being without m al
facilities and means of keeping posted as t.
markets, the people along that valley are of
ten imposed upon by spectators, who, know
ing that they cannot keep posted, 90 in there
when there is sudden rise in prices, and bu,
thousands Of dollars worth of gram, cat.ls
horses, mules, and hogs, greatly to the pecu
mary injury of the inhabitants.
10 is also one of the finest coal regions q
the west, and the industrious and growing
population of miners and coal owners located
all along that valley, furnishes an additions
reason why nail route should be establish
ed there
10 the business men OF Rock Island ii !,
also Important rs daily or tri-weekly hack
line up and down that valley would bring
them numerous orders and carry back grea,
numbers of packages in return. The mum
Der of passengers on the route would also
contribute considerably towards the expense
of running the line.
Post offices should be established at Moline
Bridge, at Joaltown, and so on through Zu-
ma, Canoe Creek, on the north side of Rock
River, in this county. to Erie in Whiteside
county, and &c on to Sterling, in the same
county, thus connecting the northern end OF
this mail route with the railroad at Sterling.
and the southern end Of the route with the
railroad at Rock Island. Post offices should
be established at points convenlent for the
people, ct distances about miles apart,
when good Intelligent men can be found to
take charge of them. The ferries at Wilson's
Cieyeland's, Morson's, Taleotts, Hurlbus's,
: Crandall's, Hsnwood's, &c., &C., would afford
facilities for the people on the other side of
the river to reach the post Offices in their vi
entity, and thus the whole population of the
great Rock River valley, on both sides of the
J river, could have the advantage OF mail
! three times q week from Rock Island. and
! three times c week. on opposite days, from
Sterling, thus placing them only one day be-
!. hind all the latest telegrephic news and mar
ket reports.
I, In order to forward the matter we print
below, q form for petition, and ask the men
On the line, who are mos. Interested In hay.
( n this route established, to cut it out and
| paste ii upon sheet of paper, and then gel
as many names to 1t as possible:
To the Senate and House of Representatives of the
:, United States:
j The undersigned, citizens of the Valley of Rosi
River in Illinois, respectfully represent to YOU
honorable body, that they destitute of the prop
mail facilities and that it would greatly conduc<
to their comfort, convenience and prosperity hav
\ mail route established from Rock Island in Roct
Island county, Illinois, along the north side of Rocl
!. River, in said Rock Island county, via MoIn,
Bridge, Coaltown, Yuma and Canoe Creek. to Ere
Whiteside county, and thence to Sterling in ssil
Whteside county. Trusting that your honorable
q aody will establish a tri-weekly mail route tn
inc and between the points indicated-your pet
toner's will ever pray, &C., dc.
I NAMES
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