The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1874-02-25
AN OLD LANDMARK EFFAcED.
Some Scenes Of 20 Years Ago Recalled.

first passenger train Of cars arrived in this
city and the event was celebrated with
great eclat. The supper was in the old
freight depot which has stood on the
bank of the river for 20 years, but which
was removed last fall, save few bents OF
the frame which are still standing. The
timber has been carried to various stations
on the line for use in smaller buildings.
The original building was erected in jan
usry 1854, and was only about one-fourth
the size of the building as it was when de-
molished, additions having been made to it
in length and width. The first use to
which it was put was for a reception sup
per for large excursion Of people from
Chicago, New York, and towns on the line
of the route from New York to this city,
mostly stockholders, contractors, and bust
ness men, on the 22d of February, 1854,
the occasion being the celebration Of the
arrival of the first train of cars into Rock
Island. Considerable preparation had
been made by the people here and the
event was one Of unusual joy on the part
Of all the people in this region.
The Mayor William Frizzell) called a
public meeting in the court house on the
9th of February to make arrangements
William Bailey presided, and Geo. W..
Peasants was secretary. A letter was
read from Lemuel Andrews, a director of
the road, announcing the expected compile
ton of the road on the 22d. Judge Will
kinson moved for a committee on resolu-
tons, and the chair appointed l o VIII
kinson, Jacob Sailor. Frazer Wilson, j j
Beardsley, r w Smith and B F Barrett
said committee.
The reception committee was as follows
NIB. Osborn, A X Philleo, j. j Boards
ley, f. G. Chopper, VIM Bell, Dr. j. W
Bracket, VIM. l.. Lee, Isaac Negus, S. B
Stoddard, James G. Bolmer. J, W. Van
SAINT and Lowell Buttrick.
Committee of arrangements-T Blu
ford, T B Gorton, AF Cutter, B D Walsh
Henry A Porter, Joseph Conway, Jacob
Sailor, S S Guyer, c c Weber and DR.
1adsell
Committee of invitation-I o Wilkinson
Bailey Davenport, NJ W Conway, james
Boyle, James Copp, Thomas Buford.
Gen. n B Buford was made president
of the day, for the celebration He ISSUED
proclamation, in which he spoke of the
event as "a day not only memorable a;
81 L,ctb 10. g tbo Eotbor &c hss
but henceforth to the citizens Of the cit!
Of Rock Island the anniversary of the com
pletiOn of the first railroad connecting tn,
Atlantic Ocean with our great inland sea.
city, which was done.
The meeting was q great success, tn
freight house being altogether too small t
accommodate the crowd The supper wa
provided by Maj Barrett, of the Rock Isl
and House, and was pronounced A il
every respect. Gen. Buford was in his ell
ement, as presiding officer. j Beardsle.
Esq'r. made the opening speech, which wa
replied to by Ex.Goy. Nm. Bebb, Nj
Maxwell, of Chicago. d n Burnham an,
others from abroad. Vim. Bracket
Esq'r also made an excellent speech. Their
were IL regular toasts, as follows:
/. The 22d Of February-The birth day of Ou
cOuntry's Father, George Washington.
?. The 22d Of February, 1S5i-The espousa da
OF tho Mississippi River and Atlantic Ocean, Ma
yandal hands ever break the connection.
3. The Projectors ofthe Chicago Il Rock Islam
Raiir9dd.Ther hearts rel ice in what their eye
behold. What was conceived III weaknc 5, IL thi
Onv hrOaght forth Ia strength.
1. HesSrS. Fdradnn d ShSHeid. me 6nitders o
Ms Chicago Il Rock IsidDd RdiirOad-lhcy hav
demonstrated by their fidelity and enterprise that
corporation may have soul. In their march {
the Pacific. the blessings of Cities and States LET
;. The Rock Island d. La sale Railroad
never met ath but was translated
d R0ck ksid1d Railroad star may differ iron
another star In glory, but we difference ant
my" H ne Sac So '" Of '2 9liao OCCASION
g. The state Of Iora.
9. ChledgO and the intermediate cities on tie
dRIR
10 DdrenpOrt our Sister Cfty-Her liberalit
and nromptness In aid OF u common enterprise prov
that generosity and mHgnauimity know no lOcalit.
May nothing but our noble river ever divide us
ii. The Press, the Telegraph and the Steam f.,
giae-The three levers which move the world
modern civilization.
~. or Guests-If our houses are not room
enough 10 receive them, our hearts are.
10. The future
Gov Bebb. j j Beardsey, Henry Farr
am, VIM Bracket, G Coffin, of Peru
Austin Corbin, of Davenport, Gen w
Wilson, of Chicago; Fl e Henderson, an
others responded. After the regular toast
volunteers were called for, and proposed b
Geo W Thompson, of Chicago; j B Dan
forth, Jr, OF this city Col G Hammond
Of Chicago; Joseph w Bracket, of thi
city; Alderman Mcdonnell, of Chicago
j r Corker, of this city Alderman Dwye
of Chicago; p Ballingall, L Bridge
and others, Of Chicago Henry Farnan
and others.
The affair was declared great success
Davenport was illuminated, also, al
there was ball at the lie Claire House.
The following were the officers in chars
on that day: Henry Farnam, chief-e
gineer and contractor Addison r Gillmor
superintendent Capt Fred Reed, condu
tor Patrick Fleming engineer John Va
Blackam, master mechanic, and Jol
Egan, passenger agent. The road had n
then been turned over to the stockholde
MIR. Farnam was proprietor He hayil
built and finished the road sin advance
his contract time, had the use of it for son
time.
Many of our citizens will readithis bri
review of the celebration of two years al
with u peculiar interest and many seen
oil L. L. IL