The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1874-04-09

II 1IAVAmDOEE
--AEanuRaetures = Un1on Schools
AmuaomonEs--Thor Father OF Wa
ters"--SPr1ngs etc.
DAVENPORT, Iowa, March %, 1874.
EDITOR DEMocRAr The rotation of
seasons has brought the bslmy air of an
other spring, and for the past ten days the
weather in this locality has been truly
charming. Three weeks ago, the ice on
the Mississippi at this point was several
feet in thickness, and between this city
and Rock Island, Illinois, the river
presented the appearance Of busy thor
oughfare; heavily laden wagons and We
hieles of all kinds were 10 be seen crossing
and recrossing theicy way BY scores Hum
dreds of tons of ice were shipped from here
to st Louis and Leuisville during the latter
part of February and early part of March.
But the scene is entirely different now;
within twenty eight hours, the river rose
to the height of fifteen feet above loR " water
mark, and the ice, breaking up, came
booming and gorging down the channel in
immense blocks, with al intensity of force
that was irresistible to every object, save
the steel pointed piers Of the great govern
ment bridge which spana the river at this
point; below the bridge, the ice haA q clear
sweep, and huge masses Of the glitteIlng
element surged and jammed against each
other; now sinking almost out of sight
beneath the water, they seemed animated,
and ike humanity struggling to reach the
pinnacle of fame, they seemed trying to
climb over each other in powerful attempts
to reach the greatest height; at certain
points along the shores, the ice was piled
up to the height of thirty feet, and the
river falling to its natural level left it
there, high and dry, where it still remains,
and will remain until the warming sun of
spring changes it to its former state. One
firm, who had lumber piled on the levee,
were panied to see their labor all undone
by the ice, which crashed against their
lumber piles with force similar to that
of a railway collision, scattering the boards
about In promlscuous confusion.
But the 'father Of waters" again moves
in the interest of commerce and industry,
and the "deep voiced" whistles of several
steamboats, are heard daily, signaling the
bridge engineer to swing the PonderOus
draw, that they may pass. The boats on
the Mississippi are larger and finer than
any on the Ohio, and are noted for the
elegance of their appurtenaHces, both IN
stats-rooms and cabins, IS well as for the
good and substantial quality of the prov
ender furnished to passengers, by their Of
fcers. Owing to the bitter opposition
that existed between the two opposing
lines last season, the fare, Including state
room, from Davenport to st. Paul, dis
tance of three hundred miles, waS at one
time reduced to two dollars, and many
pleasure seekers, ''poor but honest" paid
that sum for the trip, and carried their own
provisions with them.
nouanp0rk m kba IhWa aida and Rock
Island on the Illinois side of the river,
contain combined population of about
$4,000; the people are characterized by
that progressive energy and enterprise
found IN most western cities, and exhibited
10 the greatest advantage in the almost
miraculous rebuilding of burned Chicago.
In the former city the German element is
predominant; they have their Stadt thea
ter, beer halls, turn halle and sd1geTblt1sd
halle, all in one large building, open only
on Sundays, on which "day OF rest" three
performances of q dramatic nature are
given at the theatre each week, while the
beer flows necessarily from early morn till
late at night, In each of two saloons con-
nected with the theatre. This city would
afford most excellent field for the crusa-
ders, as there are over three hundred sa-
looms within Its limits, and without an
exception, of even billiard halls, they are
kept through each successive Sabbath,
with front doors open to whoever may
choose to enter.
In point cf manufactures Davenport is
not up to the standard Of cities of Its size,
but since the development of large coal
veins IN this vicinity, the interests in this
line are Frightening. Manufacturers have
every facility for transportation, a. there
are seven railroads leading from the two
cities, besides the great advantage 10 be
had from the river during tie season of
navigation.
1hls city contains nine union school
buildings, and the facilities for acquiring
. public school education, are unsurpassed
by those of any city in the land; besides
these, there is branch Of Bryant & STRAIT
tons business college, an academy con
Quoted in the interest of the Catholics, and
an academy of sciences, all located here.
making the educational interests of the
city quite perfect.
Amusement goers are deeply interested
in the reopening of the Burtis Opera
House which is soon to take place-this is
the finest amusement hall in the State. and
is really elegant in all its appointments
We have had some fine amusements here
during the winter At Hills Opera House
and those looked forward to with deepest
interest, are connected with the coming of
Mast and Lotta, who are soon to appear
The hoases here are numbered on the
Philadelphia plan; every block containing
3 hundred numbers, and all the streets
parallel with the river ere numbered from
econd up 10 nineteenth;-thiss system of
numbering can only be used in cities where
the streets cross at right angles and where
the blocks are square.
The government of the United States,
about nine years since, concluded the pur-
chase OF Rock Island, the lower end of
which lies between the cities of Davenport
and Rock Island-this island is about
three miles in length and averages about
one-half mile in width; it presents 8 beau
tiful situation and contains some of the
finest scenery IN the west; the views from
either end Of the island, up or down the
river, are truly magnificent. An account
of q cave, together with description o1
some of the stone relics of ancient days
which were found In it, was published sew
eral since in many Of the principal journals
Of the country, caused quite q stir among
scientists. The government has already
built large and elegant arsenal, severa
4 eA--C-@~7 -1N 80 oAS OA AAC A1lA10s b1CoS
buildings are large and fine, both IN poini
Of structure and design-they are without
exception constructed of the finest quality
of white stone. The dwellings of the resi-
dent officers, also of stone, will compar,
favorablY with the finest residences in Can
ton, and are situated on Park Road, faainI
Davenport and the main channel of thC
river. About thirty rods its bank othel
new and elegant buildings are being con-
stantly erected, and some parts Of thl
ground presents the appearance of i'm
mense stone yards. HoWitzers, columbi
ads, and guns of all sizes are stationed OIL
commanding points all over the island
and dangerous looking pyramids of ball
and shells, together with grim lookinl
ammunition wagons serve to relieve tn
monotony of the scene. The troops sta
toned here must lead dreary life-the,
are subjected to all the weary disciplin
and precision of military rules, and ever
though they are within the sight and soun,
of two busy cities, it is seldom that one @
them is seen of the island. Citizens Wis
ihng the place must first procure a pass
and if person is found there who canuo
1 1. -. Ii