The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1869-10-05
OUR FUTURE.

cistes the growing importance OF Rock Is
land less than its own inhabitants. The rep.
utation OF our city is fairer abroad than ~
home. Strangers recognize its ultimate
greatness more than we do ourselves. This
is easily accounted for. Tho slow growth OF
the place has furnished such marked con
trast to the mushroom prosperity OF others
around us, that we have grown TO regard
Rock Island as dilatory old coach which
will never reach its destination until every
other municipal vehicle on the track has
swept triumphan,ly to its goal WINE o'h'
err cities have expanded ike magic, and at
the same time have piled up mountains OF
debt Apaipst the future, ours has plodded
quietly along, paying its way as it went, do
inc nothing remarkable or sensational. bat
Aesdly laying the basis for final substan'
tial prosperity which will not be surpassed
in the west. Our competitors that
pushed ahead on the high pressure principle
ARE now languishing under burdens of debt,
and are almost hopeless Of extrication.
Like men who undertake unusual tasks, de.
pending on the transient strength derived
from violent stimulantS, they are exhausted
with the removal Of their artificial means OF
progress, and are less able than ever to go
on with the proposed work before them. Rock
Island, however, is reared on solid founda'
tons. What there is Of it can be compre
hended at glance, and the capitalist in
seeking home, need pass but little time in
studying out our situation and prospects
| What the government is doing for us is
known throughout the country, and has been
fully expatiated on. The effect Of its stu
pendous Improvements on the value ofprop
erty at this city cannot be over estimated, and
is already becoming apparent. But what is
most satisfactory, is the centering of rail
roads at this point in such numbers as must
certainly build up a fue city in spite of ev.
cry obstacle.
The Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific rail
road is acknowledged as q portion OF the
great through route from ocean to ocean. 1t
is far ahead Of all competition, and under
its present management will always remain
so. The Northwestern Road won the start,
and for time kept it, but lacking the ad
vantages Of our line, has now virtually
given up the contest for thelon's share, and
is simply an Iowa and Chicago railroad
The G. II. |. & =. ia link in the great in
teroceanic chain. Our location on THU
road is @ great advantage. Then we have
the Western Union road to connect us with
the Northwest, and the Rockford, Rock
Island & St. Louis road to place us in com
munication with St Louis, as well at
with some of the most prolific portions o.
our own state. Next spring the Peoria d
Rock Island road will be completed, and we
will DO one of the termiui Of grand through
route to the Atlantic, connecting with al
the cities on the coast. Within two year
the great government railroad bridge acros
the river will be completed, and trains wi
be running on the Davenport st. Pau
Il railroad. The bridge will virtually unit
Da ,enport, Rock Island, Moline, and Csu
den into one metropolis, each portion pal
!. taking of the benefits Of oil the others, ali
ps the whole enjoying the prosperity wh!c
~ must inevitably spring from the centerln
of of foe railroudS hero, in addition to OF
at advantages for river navigation. How ca
there help being great city here, OF Wink
os Rock Island will be an important portion
n. When the government bridge is compile
ed, we predict that Rock Island will do
larger grain business than Davenport.
" will offer greater inducements for buyers
locate here. Our shipping advantages W
~ be greater than any point north of S
ou Louis.
!. We will also offer greater advantages f
manufacturers that any point in the Missi
re sippi Valley, and where we now have oil
m factory we will in ten years have half
dozen.
There is not now a vacant dwelling hou
or store within our limits. This fact, wi
w the demand, ana our brilliant prospect
'e' should incite capitalists to invest their m
cd ney in brick and mortar without heSitatio
RAFT BROKE LoosE-A raft broke loo
al from Schricker d Muellers mill, Davenpol
be yesterday morning, and went careening {
%, | ii.