The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1870-01-13

sOne uciAs heiui uusic, nnu thhen its place
on the music stand at the end of the hall, at
the conclusion of the Captains speech played
a National air, after which Presiding Elder
Hunter, of the Methodist Episcopal Church
invoked blessing.
Then the eating began.
/ THE TABLES
were laden with all manner OF delicacies and
ornamented with silver baskets of fruit etc.
A paste-hoard model of the Rockford
depot, made by R. Koehler, Illuminated
from within was the central ornament on one
table and a similar one of a Rhenish castle
with fountains playing before it,also iiiunin'
ated, of another. Too much credit cannot De
given 10 Ems, Krell, the caterer, who pre-
nared the banquet and who transcribed the
sxpectations of all. He was ably assisted
by G. r. Hill, who superintended the tables,
W. r. Smith the carving, and John Far
linger the cooking. The pastry was attend
ed to personally by Mr.. Krell. A corps OF
twenty walters attended to the wants of the
guests.
Everybody was plentifully supplied. and
the banquet was enjoyed with the additional
zeal of delightful music.
George Mixter. Esq the toast master,
then announced that there would be but
| four regular toasts, the FIRST of which he
read as follows:
| Rock Island and her railroad connections,
now represented at this family supper. May
they be united in friendship and good will as
! firmly as they are now bound together by
bands Of iron.
Judge Peasants was called upon for a
response, which he most eloquently acceded
! to. He spoke of the grandeur Of railroad
enterprises in cementing internal trade, and
their importance to Rock Island, especially
the Rockford road, which united us in com
mercial fraternity at once with the cities OF
the lake and the Gulf of Mexico
| The Judges neat and appropriate speech
was followed By music, when the second
regular toast was read:
The Rockford, Rock Island d 81. Louis
Railroad Rock Island regards it as one OF
the main arteries of her future besiness, sno
sees in the energy and business capacities
of its officers, as manifested in what they
have SO rapidly mplished, 3 guarantee
of its speedy completion.
r Young, Vice President of the Rock
ford road, responded. He opened with al
apology for the non appearance of Presideu,
Greene, who had been called TO New York
on business of great Importance, and was
accordingly not here to respond in the name
of the road and as It's representative. lie
had been connected with the road but few
months, and could lay no claim to n,
important and difficult accomplishments
which bad resulted from the combined enel-
gy, sagacity and perseverance of those whc
had been identified with the enterprise from
its inception. But being the second officer
of the road in executive position present,
the duty of replying TO the toast devolveo
or him. He then, in plain, straightfor
ward manner, rehesrsed the progress and
extent of the Rockford road, and its connec
ions, substantially as fellows: Ths
original charter Of the road extends from
Belois TO ST. Louis, distance Of tour
hundred miles. From Sterling on
the line of the Northwestern railway to this
city, distance Of 50 miles has been com
plesed, and IS in running order. This J.
called the Rock Island Division On the
5, Louis division, the line from Oquswks
junction to Beardstown, has been completed
and distance of sixty miles The Who'll
of the line frcm Beardstowu to East S.
Louis will be completed by the first of April.
and to Rock Island by the first of August
The line from SteIing north TO Belolt, j,
now under survey, and i, is hoped will BE-
built within the year. He returned thanks
In behalf Of the company, for the handsome
welcome ACCORDED and the expression
good will, which feeling be trusted the PEG
pie of Rock Island would never have occa
sion to change
The third regular toast was then read g.
follows:
The Cities of the Lakes-Their younge
sisters o. the Upper Mississippi WELDON
their representatives to it's valley, and proffe'
to their commerce the rich treasures of ,ts
production.
Tx Lieut. Gov. Bross WAS called upon for
a response. He spoke in substance as follows ::
Ia behalf Of the citizens of Chicago, tie
great lake city to whom you have done the
honor Of so Kind mention to night, bep
leave to congratulate you. Heretofore VT
have been able extend but one hand to you;
now by the completion of the Rockford,
Rock Island & ST. Louis road we are enabled
to extend to you bo,h hands with cordia
welcome to that city which for p years has
been~ny home. We rejoice with kock
Island in its rapid growth in It's illimitabls
resources and its glowing future. You are
now connected with the east and the west
by two routes which carry you speedily
to any part u the continent
In 1852 | spent the sabbath at the Roch
Island House, and left the city for Dixon by
that ancien, and respectable conveyance the
stage coach over which line ofturnpike road
passed and reached my destiuation-aN an
one day. Now | hope to leave this city il
the morning and be at my Office in Chicsgo
by the beginning of business hours.
Rock Islands destiny is inevitably great
and | made it as solemn prediction, thai
before another half century passes, there viii
be population here twice as large as there
is now in the City of Chicago, and the place
viii increase in wealth, power and maguif
fili ~ faE It's Tlaa tba
great cities of the West. | respect very
much the gentlemen connected with the Chi
cage and Rock Island railway. | also re
spect these gentlemen who have given US
another connection with you and to whose
pluck endurance aud financial
management are due the com
pletion of the Rockford railroad. l have
lived long enough in Chicago to see every
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