The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1867-09-25

hand, as you 60 up, is the confederate DUR
rying ground where lie the remains OF near
ly 1000 confederste soldiers who died while
confined in Rock Island Military Prison.
THE MAGAZINE AND LABRAToRY.
Directly south of the great group of
work shops, on the site of the old small pox
hospitals,is to be the powder magazine and
further east of that and nearer the great
bend in the Silvan Stream, is to be the lab
ratory.
THE POWDER MILL.
Further still, towards Moline, in the widest
part of the Island, and about midway be-
tween either shore, and about midway be-
tween the work shops and the head of the
Island, is to be powder MILL
THE coMNANDANrs QUARTERS.
Passing over to the north side of the Is
land, we enter the elegant grounds surround
ing Gen. Rodman's residence, and find here
large gang of workmen digging and build
ing deep sewer of solid masonry, from the
river to the low ground, or slough running
from the old "Bull Pen" or rebel barracks,
to the railroad bridge. This sewers intend
ed to drain all the marshy ground between
the slough and the river and also serve as
sewer for the splendid Joliet stone residence
the General will build just west of his present
residence, as the permanent residence for
the commanding officer of the Island.
Other stone houses, for the other officers
located at the Arsenal, will be erected in
the neighborhood.
PARK AND LAKE.
East of these quarters will be magnif-
cant park, and an artificial lake of consid-
cradle size, supplied with fresh water, where
fish can be cultivated, and the birch canoe
glide over its CLASSY surface.
srBALrERN OFFICERS QUARTERS.
Still east of the park and lake viii be 9TH
er permanent houses erected for the subalt-
ern officers, near the barracks in rear OF the
work shops.
RAILROADS.
A railroad track will run the whole length
of the Island, on each side of Main Avenue,
connecting all the buildings on the Island,
from the Arsenal at the lower point to the
upper end.
THE NEW BRIDGE.
Included in the plan, is the removal OF
both the present railroad bridges and the
| track across the Island, and the erection OF
| a new bridge commencing near the residence
of P. L. Gable, Esq, and running on a
straight line to Davenport, crossing the lower
point of the Island between the Arsenal and
the point of rocks. From the Island to Dav
export this bridge is to be built for a railroad
and carriage bridge, and viii be reached
from this side by the present bridge anG
causeway, both of which will be greatly en-
larged and improved.
THE MONEY WANTED.
| The estimates for the year commencing
July, 1868, ara already made, and amour
to nearly $3,000,000. This includes off
GERS quarters the building the new bridg
at the point of the Island tUncle Sam por
tom carrying forward the work on the ney
shop, and, in fact, for all other contemplated
Improvements for the year. The prospect
for the early commencement of The nev
bridge are favorable, as an agreement, pre-
pared by the attorney Of the Chicago, Roc
Island d Pacific railroad company, was sen
to Washington two weeks ago. When con
pleted, this structure will undoubtedly b
free to the half dozen railroads which in fl
ture must inevitably centre at this point.
THE WATER POWER.
1t Is contemplated to build immediatel
about SEQ feet of dam, extending down tn
Silvan Stream from the Moline dam, an
then run a wing to the Island shore. Tn
, will afford ample power for the present. A
appropriation will then be asked to eXten
the dam in direct line down the Silva
Stream to q point where 1t will touch til
Island in the great bend, below or nearly o.
posite Sinnett's ice houses. This woul
furnish an immense power, for each shor
the main land and the Island, where shor
and mills could be built the whole distanc
and have plenty of power for them all.
WATER FOR THE ISLAND.
At the foot of this dam, where it strik,
the Island water will be taken in pipes
! the reservoirs near the work shops and to q
parts of the Island where water is needed.
e GAS WORKS.
E: Nearly north of the foot of the dam al
not far above the work shops, gas works W
be erected for supplying all the buildings {
the Island.
STEAMBOAT LANDING.
Just below the present railroad brid
across the main channel, will be built
splendid steamboat landing, where all shi
> ping for the Island will be done.
THE SEARS SAW MILL.
t Near the Sears Touring mill, on Benhan
. Island, is a saw mill used for some years
d Sears, Wood l. Huntoon. All of this pro
0 erty now belongs to the United States, al
e it is probable that the saw mill will be p
c in first rate repair and used for saving lul
n Der for the government buildings on t
e Island. 1t will be economy to do so, as 10
e of any kind wanted can be purchased abo
o and hoated to that point, and lumber saw