The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1878-08-05

Of the pioneers of the Mississippi Valley
10 this region, and was so thoroughly iden-
tilted with its history, and its progress to
the present, that the people of this city
and vicinity, especially the earlier settlers,
can SCARCELY call the subjectto mind with
out early aud vivid recollection of the part
which she sustained to both the past and
present.
The family Of the late Col. Davenport, of
the U. S. Army, was the only family |
settled in this locality for number of
years. Mrs. Goldsmith was the last sur
viving member of the original family
one of the golden links which united
those adventurous days with the changed
appearance and the populated cities VIII ii
now exist upon the banks of the then
lonely Mississippi.
1t was 10 the year 1916 being herself
but child-that the Island of Rock Island
became her homs.
The frontier condition may we'll be
imagined when it is stated that for period
of FIVE years after her arrival she saw the
face of no white woman save that of her
mother. For a longer time than that
there was no other white family nearer than
ST. Louis 10 one direction, Chicago 10 an
other, and Prairie DaChien far above
Rock Island was at this time
the center of attraction for large
numbers of Indians who dwelt in
the vicinity or paid it their annual visits
Upon the eastern bank of the Mississippi
where now is the city of Rock island then
stood the village of toe Foxes. At the
mouth of Rock river were the Sank lodges
and the village of the chieftain Black
Hawk.
The erection Of Fort Armstrong at the
lower or western end Of the Island afforded
q favorable point for the arrangement of
government relations with these and more
distant tribes, thus bringing all the more
notable personages aud chiefs frequently
to this point,
Mrs. Goldsmiths knowledge of
the character and customs of the natives
and her acquaintance with their leading
chiefs aud braves was by these means rem
dered unusually extensive and valuable.
The regard and confidence reposed in Col
Davenport by the Fox and Sauks as we'll
as other tribes rendered her position
among them peculiarly favorable 10 this
respect, aud those who were privileged
to listen to her recital of these former
times will recall with high degree of
, pleasure her "reminiscences and the story
: of pioneers home.
After the death Of Colonel Davenport
she still continued to reside for some
years at the government house on the
Island. but for the last twenty years Of
Whereabouts has made her home in THU
city with her son, Hon. B. Davenport
r Her early experiences of frontier life
r aud the loving regard of the Indians VIII
e long since left this venerated ground for
: home further west, was almost yearl
recalled to mind by the return of many o
the Indians TO their old home and thei
invariable visit on such occasions to th
e estimable lady whom they held always i
! such high regard. Perhaps the peculiar fea
- lures of early life, and the impression
made upon her youthful mind by til
scenes to which her children was thu
subjected, may have contributed 10 SON
: degree 30 the earnest and quie
y discharge of the duties {
" life for which she was eminently noted
Yet it was far more due to her cheerfl
and hopeful disposition, her steady an
unvarying equanimity of disposition, and
IT calm and conscientious performance {
Of every duty, which gave her such a strou
u and enduring hold upon the regard an
II esteem of all who knew her. For man
ir years she was a communicate of tn
,e Episcopal church of this city and contrib
:, uted largely of her means to the erectio
= of the beautiful church edifce belonging
Is that denomination. The poor earl
d learned to love her and to bless the han
a. that never stayed its bounties in the mid
of suffering and distress. Her benevolent
was of that large hearted kind whic
,. sought out the sick and afflicted and mil
If istered as their necessities required He
g works were orderly. quiet, almost who'll
r reserved from public gaze. yet like her ow
- large heart were free and generous, eve
"a as God had given her to bestow.
"a Her later years were passed amidst a
% that affluence could give or that kindnel
- and affection could suggest, The plea
- ures of an unclouded decline of life, SUI
:, rounded By relatives and friends, was tn
; gift which Providence bestowed; and
, her exemplary Christian devotion to Ii
duties which came to her to perform, sh
\ has gained for herself among the poop
of Rock Island remembrance that wi
xv long survive her departure from this If
Mrs. Goldsmith was long known
our citizens as a truly pious, consisten
and charming Christian lady. Her d.
=, cease will create void in the communi
! not easily again supplied; the poor 9
% pecially will deeply feel Ter loss, will mi
:. her many quiet acts of true benefcenc
Personal.
10 Homer Lowery, of the Peoria r r. lie
r this afternoon for Chicago via Peoria.
G. B. D, Buford is about to start f
a another trip to Kansas City and St. j