The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1867-07-02
FROM THE GULF OF MEXICO TO
THE POLAR SEA
BYISKEE PENN
TENTH ARTICLE.
ROCK ISLAND CITY.


Early in the morning we left the steamer
New Boston, after pleasant words of parting
with its courteous officers, and commenced
our reportorial researches in Rock Island,
tanned all over the land for Its historical asso-
Citations in connection with the great REBEL
ion. The subsequent career of this city,
Judging from present appearances and future
prospects, will add vastly to the lustre of
name already renowned in the annals of our
country.
Rock Island CITY is built on level tract
of land at fair elevation above the river,
and near the base of a long range of steep
blufis. There is ample space, however, for
the building of a great metropolis without
encroaching upon the aerial earthrorks in
the rear of the city; hence, a due sutficiency
of room for growth exempts it from the dis
advantages of cramped position, which op-
crates so I'M uriously to MANY other cities and
towns along the river.
IT'S GROWTH AND PROSPERITY.
In the year of 1882 the axe OF the pioneer
was first heard among these hills. At that
period, Fort Armstrong was erected to pro-
tect the early settlers from the hostility of
the Indians under Black Hawk. In 1886
the first claims were staked out, and the
cabins of the white man built where Rock
Island now stands. Its rapid growth as
commercial and manufacturing place COM
menced in. 1850, and four years subsequently
its prosperity was greatly enhanced by the
competioa;:pf the Chicago & Rock Island Rail
road. Since that time its increase III wealth
and Importance has been truly remarkable.
IL gives the most encouraging indications of
becoming one of the greatest mercantile
marts in North America
It's population is 10000; that of Daven-
port, Just opposite is 10000, and that of Mo
line, two miles above Rock Island City, is
2,0O0-making a total of $4,000 These
zee places may properly be termed one city,
.gir interests are all identical, and what
. io' 9otes the welfare ofone also pro-
W ,tans nun, 1.-the others. Rock Island CON
Of arnan,ansa, fine private residences.
itecture OF these buita-."aa ~ o. a,aL
of beauty and opulence h.;aa ~ :. aa msn
taste, and they compare We "a e go a.
erected by the wealthiest in our "a IT,
In abiding to Rock Island as s snoae
A PLACE OF SUMNER RESORT, 4&1s7
Mr.. J. b. Danforth. Jr., the able editor
the Rock Island ARGUS, in brief editoris
says
1t seems to US there i. no place where the b
Island Situated on the banks of the bro
Mississippi, in full view of the magnificent islaI
OF Rock Island, where an immense United Stat
arsenal is in progress of construction; having
fine view of the beautiful bluffs on eitfaer side
the river being within an easy three-mfies tri
of the beautiful Rock river: the same distaa
from Black Hawks Watch Tower, a bold pro,
ontory overlooking Rock river the Mfssissip
river, and the most magnificent valley in the worl
having the very finest carriage roads to he fou,
q m oh oh, Ii.
being In close proximity to the very best lis hi,
grounds ofthe Mississippi river, Rock river Al
Green river: within easy drive of the most CAN'T
hunting grounds, where plenty of wild game C.
be found having hotels equal to any town
this region, and full supply of first-ciass live
Hables;sand connected by morning ard eyenir
transzof cars-and tesmbcats with all parts :
the country, we do not seesw why Rour tor
should not be the resort of large numbers
pleasure and health-seckers during the war
season.
For the following facts relative to Roc
Island statistics we are also indebted to M
Danforth the Argus, and in giving write
expression to what was verbally commup
Gated to US, but merely. change its form an
otter.8s1KI lsEIfA k.AELF -9FEsf
STATISTICS OF ROCK ISLAND.
This city contains nine churches of var;or
denominations, which are well attended.
has an excellent system of graded school
for the education of youth. There is ON
High School, with a number of ward schoe
houses, and the amount of funds devoted
educational purposes is very large. Their
is a very heavy capital invested in manufac
turing interests. Among the more. prom
nent establishments of this class is Mr. r =
Buford's plough factory, which, for tho n, mar
ufacture of this agricultural implement =;
said to exceed any other in the westar !,
states in size and in the amount of raw M,
terial used. Mr.. Buford is a young man. in
telligent enterprising, industrious, and is
withal, as the popular phrase runs, "a goo.
Th$s = alaea wosalen maupfacsory, On,