Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1871-1872, 1872-06-20
PLEASANT ExcURsroS-THE RAPIDS AsD

gave . very enjoyable excursion, to some
zoo of our citizens, enabling them TO view
the new railroad and wagon bridge and the
Rapids. Among the u. S. officers, COL
MAoomb, Chief of the Engineers Depart
men,, at this place, and Maj BenyAurd ana
Maj. Stickney, of the Engineers, and capt
Farley, and LieutS Butler, Bryant ana
Wright, of the Ordnance, were present.
Several strangers, who happened to be in
town. were also present-Lieut. Gov. Pound, |
and lady, of Wisconsin, Mr.. R. Il.
Crittenden, OF Frankfort, Kentucky
son Of the late U. S. Senator John }.
/ Crittenden, and others. Also some 200 or
more of our citizens-ladies, gentlemen and
children-invited guests Of Col. and Mrs.
Macomb.
Passing the bridge, workmen were no
ticed cementing the seams in the piers. Ii
is hoped that the carriage and foot ways will
soop be opened to the great public. All
railroad trains now cross the new bridge,
and the work of removing the old bridge has
been commenced.
From Rock Island to Port Byron are
; situated the Upper or Rock Island Rapids OF
!. the Mississippi River-formerly very
q difficult aud somewhat dangerous part Of the
0 river to navigate. The distance is about
It Is miles. In this distance there are nine
chains, lodges or reefs of rocks running
across the river, through which it is neces-
sarv to cut q channel 10 order to permit the
safe passage Of boats at low water. They
are as follows:
LIST. The Lower or ShoemAker's chain,
Csometimes called Rock Island chain near
ly opposite the Commandments quarters, on
the Island. No work has yet heen done
here.
%. Moline chain, nearly opposite Nc
line. Here the work is completed, exceP
some chisel work at the foot of the chain
Sd. Dutch creek chain-work completed
There are some knobs and points besweel
this chain and Moline to be knocked off will
the ehissl.
4th. Winnebago chaiu-nothing don
some 1,sOO or 1000 yards of rock to b
removed.
5sh. Campbel's chsin-sll done, Her
yes WAS one of the great Golfer dams.
all 9th. ST. Louis chAiu-noshing done
some $500 to 5000 yards of rock to be r
., moved.
Tue 7sh. Crab Island chsin-here was
$50 Golfer dam last yesr-the chisel boats a.
'N' now finishing the knobs.
s.h. Sycamore cbsin-work 6nisbe
JOS Here was another of those immense 90 sc
Golfer dams
tie 9th and last. Smiths, or Upper chain
han just below Port Byron, work done, exec
yes little cbisel work.
zee The Rapids Improvement wss common
ing ed in 1866. The Lower, the Wiunebai
and the St. Louis chains are yet untouched
probably 5000 or more yards Of rock to
30 removed, besides the chisel work, - AMI t
available funds are some $4,000 to $40, Oh
49,. Of the old appropriation, and $4,000 ju
,sd appropriated, making some $50, 900 20 so
.s,s 600 available for the yesr ending July
~, 1873. It's not expected that this sum v
a.. be sufficient to complete the workout h
much more will be needed canno, De ssc,
tanned before next November.
l. During the trip the party we're shown {
,Dv operations Of the huge chisel, weighing frt
cry 5000 to 1000 pounds.
The trip was most delightful one
"a" csptthe intense heat-and all seemed 10
Joy the occasion in the highest.
MS After returning to Rock Island, and g
'Oe' ing those who wished to do so, an oppor
o ~, niss to land, the ptrty proceeded down 1
- river, landing near Buffalo iog = stroll in
H'e groves, and returning sbou. P NJ. Exc
',0u lent refreshments we're furnished, under
'nS' superintendence of Mrs. Mscomb,
'ne' When near Rock Island on the ret,
trip, an impromptu meeting Of the eIcr
1jng sionists was organized by calling H,
the Mayo to the chair, aud appointing J.
DAuiorth, Jr., sscretsry,-when Mr.. ".
orn- Eggestou introd uced the following:
Resoirsd, That the thanks OF this meeting
$50 respectfully rendered to Col. }. n. Macomb
the excursion up and down the river, and to \
ming hacOmb for the sIcelleu. entertainment turn
hin, ed the guests.
The Inc resolution was adopteo unanl IN ou
vo, and with great enshusiasm-the ladies j
.;vad ing heartily in the vote. All were deligt
with the excursion, and very grateful to
\ excellent gentleman and lady whose k
,cket meas and hospitality was so signally
hibited.