North Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1867-current, 1869-05-26
Correspondence.

N'NiIiS '7tS"A'bCdtiAE 10 s,cUus III HiuCii vi
it is monotonoas, especially to one who
has much Of it to do and knows that his
business at home needs his personal atten.
ton. A paper now and then brought on
board at different landings, with the news
of the day, is temporary relief; but they,
too, nowadays, are clothed with same
ness,and we soon get weary reading of Rails
road projects, Rebellion in Cuba, Cable
kilograms about affairs in England, Ire
land, France, Russia, Prussia, China, Afri-
ca Divorce Suits, Murders, Elopements,
Suicides, Appointments of Foreign Con-
suls, Post Masters and Ministers. Grants
relations, and a thousand other facts and
predictions, that do not much interest the
people of McGresor beyond keeping posted
upon what is going on upon this mundane
sphere of ours. Tired OF all this. let me
pencil (or have no pen) few items
about things that have been, are, and may
occur along the banks of this, the greatest
river in the world, which perhaps will he
interesting to some of your readers.
This steamer Minneapolis is beauty !;
she belongs to the Northern Line, was
built the past year at Pittsburs at cost
of $50. 900, and made her first appearance
On the Mississippi this spring, about the
middle of April. She is manned by Capt.
L. b. Rhodes Clerks. w. w. Vandyke
and w. w. Wells l am told that, aside
from these officers, it takes about 70 to
mann this boat. Everything on board
this floating Palace is conducted quietly
and in order. Every man appears to know
his place and fills it. We have now about
$50 passengers on board, and one hundred
tons of freight.
Now, let us turn back and take hasty
glance at things in and around Rock
Island, Moline, Davenport, Clinton, Fulton
and Lyons.
Rock Island City is on the cast side Of
the Mississippi, in Illinois, AS miles be-
low st. Paul. and 500 above St. Louis it
is a pleasant substantially built city, with
about II, 900 Inhabitants. two Railroads.
one from. Chicago, and one from Racine
ria Of Savannah. Good bituminous coal
Is obtained short distance east Of the
city, and sold here at from IL to Is cents
per bushel. Coal being the principal arti-
Gle Of fuel used, it gives the city smoky
and dingy appearance. In their courtyard
stands Soldiers Monument, built at a cost
of about 10000 it is 80 feet high, and sur
- mounted by the design of a soldier in full
uniform, and, like the rest of the monu-
nent is made of beautiful marble. Upon
Of fallen heroes from this county during
the late rebellion. This city has three
miles of street railway, running north to
Moline, city of about 1000. The people
Of both cities predict that the day is not
far distant when the two will be under one
corporation.
Moline is great pillow depot. Through
the kindness Of my friend Flint, l was
shown through the works Of John Deree
& Co. lie tells me that they employ 300
men, and have made 10000 plows this
year, a portion of the time turning out
1900 plows week Another pillow works,
Condee, Swan g. Co., / understand work
about 200 men. a few such shops would
not be bad thing to have in our little
promising city of McGrcgor. We will now
leave the cities of Moline and Rock Islam !,
and cross over TO the Island proper.
This Island lies between Davenport and
Rock Island City. 1t is about three miles
in length, and haH mile wide. 1t is a
ledge Of limestone, from which it takes its
name Rock Island. 1t gradually slopes
from its shores to the centre, where it is
from 80 to 40 fset above high water mark.
From 1926 to 1880, this Island was used
as trading post with the Sac and Fox
Inlians. Here was the playground Of
Blackhawk, his children and his braves,
during the Blackhawk war Fort Arm
strong was built upon this Island and stood
anti the breaking out of the rebellion in
1861. The War department then selected
the Island for western military prison,
were held here during the war at different
times. 1000 Of these poor fellows died
and are buried on the Island. Since the
war closed the government has selected
and purchased this Island for permanent
western arsenal and armory, and Gen.
Rodman, Of the Rodman gun notoriety,
has been sent here with full power to spend
million--on1y q mHlion-dollars, to erect
buildings, adorn end bcautiry these
grounds. lie has now 500 mechanics Is
hour mem and 100 soldiers at work. 1t
will take years to complete the plans laid
out. When done, it is thought it viii ex-
coed in Leauty Central Park, NY.
This is all very fine for the cities in the
Immediate vicinity. A nice little home OF
1900 acres for General and hi staff, ard
only cost million. paid for by people
who to-day are grooming under the heavy
burden of taxation but this only small
appropriation made by our Government,
officials, who promised, if promoted tc
Office, would practice rctrenchmcnt and
reform. Only million to beautiiy the
prettiest island on the Mississippi. Gen.
Rodman's apology for this apparent ex.
trayagance is the old adage, SIN time oil
peace prepare Cor war" The old General
is a live man, about 50 years Of age /; his
size, build, and general appearance is not
unlike our townsman, George l.. Bass,