The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1871-03-08
ROCK ISLAND AND MANUFACTURES.

This city has added another valuable
factory to it's list. Although the location is
in Moline and on Moline Water Power, yet
it is Rock Island factory.
Three miles to the south of us we have Il
magnificent water power, one Of the best 10
the country, and yet, with the exception Of
two or three mills, it ID undeyeloped. A
factory has been located there, this is the
beginning. The present generation will not
see the end. That power will be developed
in time, bat the sooner, the better it win be
for both that place and this. One factory
cannot do the work, more must follow ; let
a cotton factory, or rolling mill, paper
mill or wooden factory be established. or
all, but let the power which is now being
wasted, developed.
! Two miles IL the east OF us We have
another magnificent water power. This is
we'll developed, but not up to its full capacity
1t runs q wooden factory, two pillow factories,
a scale factory, paper mill, and will run
the quilt factory when ready.
Here are two water powers, unsurpassed
BY any in the Union, furnishing the motive
for four factories and four mills. These
water powers are capable of running hun
dred times as many, and have the facilitie.
for SO doing.
The future prosperity of Rock Island
depends upon nothing more than manufac
tories. The city was at stand still for ter
years, and did not in that time add thous
and souls to its population, and was regarded
by every one as dead place. Persous look
ing for location for business or residence
stopped in this city only so long as the,
were compelled to. Our merchants dit
business on small scale, kept small stocks
sold little, and were few in number. Tene
meHt houses and stores went begging 70
occupants, and the CITY had bad reputs
ton.
After many years our capitalists discov
cred that we had a mine of wealth at on
! door. That it was not necessary TO forwar
our interests by commencing to work in tn
city. We had no need of factories in tn
J city, they would be in the road. Tn
sub lrbs were the places for them, and wor
was commenced in the suburbs. Factorie
: were negotiated with and secured, to locat
z in the suburbs, where all the facilities sn
D power Of the city lies, and Rock Islam
: became known to the outside world.
3 Now that the ice is broken, and CON
/ mencment made, we hope our citizens vi
i not set down With folded hands. and expet
! factories TO come here and locate without ii
9 asking. We do not think they will do thi
, bus it is very easy thing to do, and v
J. have their past record, which is not encou
/ aging.
:, We have horse railroad to our easter
5 suburb, and it is,la paying institution, beca'
e there ara plenty of people at both ends AT
8 along the line to pAtronizo it. A DUNN
IT railroad is spoken of between this city al
Al its southern suburb, but it WI never
= bnilt until more factories are located at Il
b other end. The reason of this is plain. II
e road will no: pay without it has considerah
e patronage, and the road will not thereto
E be built until a sufficient guarantee of ps
Il ronage.
y We must have the factories there, and t
" dummy railroad, in order that this city nj
S be benefited by the trade which will biz
y in, and the power of that point developed.
e With the water power of our suburbs ful
n developed, this city, will within fifteen yea
p have population of 5000 and rank
e the seconi city in the state. Shall we s
y it?