The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1879-06-12
The Armory Opening.

buggles whose occupants were eager to
see the display. Promptly at 5:25 p. NJ.
the companies from Moline arrived and
then the entire column fell into line.
Lieut., John Rodman, of the Goth In
fantry, u. S. A., acted as adjutant and
after the formation of the battalion. the
column moved out 10Th street to Daven-
ports grounds aud there occurred the
grand review, By Adjutant General Hill
lard aud Gen. Breeze. There were pres
ent also Major Coulter, 18th battalion
Col. d, .. Reid, or the governors staff
The various movements were well exc
cuted. aud it is proper to say
that to Lieutenant Rodmans eth
cheney as adjutant of the battalion is
largely due the success of the review. lie
nroyed to ali that he was every inch a
soldier. About two hours was spent in
drill and review and then the command
marched down to 18th street and thence on
Second Avenue to 10th street where the
Moline companies took the cars for home
| and the Rodman Rifles marched to their
quarters, stacked arms and broke ranks
| for home and supper preparatory to the
grand inaugural ceremonies of the evening
TIE INAUGURAL OPENING.
The hall throughout was handsomely
decorated but especially the drill hall
proper, which was hung with flags. paint
ings, evergreens and designs, the whole
forming most attractive appearance
Across the south end of tho hall were
flags testooned with overgreens, behind
which was handsome oil painting o.
Gen. Rodmau, aud the words -"Ro1man
Rife Co." Around the balcony, in the
centre Of tbs ceiling and On the cast ane
west walls were flags 10 prorus0n, whilt
at Intervals were hung canary birds IL
cages. Il was brilliant display and very
tasty. A Temporal platform WIS erected
at the south end Of the building and il
each c)ruer were howi:zers mounted OF
caissons, kindly sioaned by Col. Flagler o
the Rock Island Arsenal On the table a
the orators stand was q beautiful flora
wreath. very heavy, of pinks aud roses, 10
the centre of which in white flowers wa
the letter r." This was present from
Mrs. Z. Zeis, aud was beautiful fora
gift for which tho Rifles were very CRATE
fol. Throughout the Building aliiwas gal
ETY. and spendor. The vide halls, tn
balcony, the msiu hall and the rooms i
, the third floor were crowded with
throng of the elite of the three cities an
many distinguished visitors from abroad
Some OF the ladies' toilets were costly an
superb. 1t was in fact gathering of th
fashion and aristocracy and will long /
remembered as the grandest social ever
u ever held in Rock IsIand-it was 10 ever
r respect strictly recherche and a brillial
e assemblage.
THE EXERCISES.
The exercises were short and int
e estiug, but were somewhat delaye
l. owing to the unavoidable absence of son
who were to take part. so that it was full
'' $3.50 before the ceremonies began. II
band played a fine overture after whiC
there was prayer by Rev. E. G. Barnar
chaplain Of the I4th, battalion. Then t
military glee club, nine voices, sang wi
. dno effect. The Artillerist's Oath
; which was applauded. President Par
then gave review of the company's i
! fairs from IT'S formation TO the prese
i time and read a statement showing an
Is debtedness of only 81 93I.07 Oh t
Armory building. His remarks were VI,
received and at The conclusion Actin
), Mayor Donaldson. welcomed the guests
D. the city. He made short, pointed a
ID dress, which was very appropriate and W
l applauded.
10 Adjutant Gen'l. billiard replied on b
re half of Gov Cullom who did not arrive,
D. a neat little speech, apoloGizing for
lie brevity, because as he said, soldiers we
seldom good takers, at least he could s.
for himself that he was not" He esta
to lished himself as favorite by his hap
IN manner and terse style of taking Thu
is followed song by the 'Abt Quartette"
J. THE March, which was applauded
to course, because excellently given, aud
N the encore the quartette sang "Whe
III Would l Be"
Y, The company then fell into line al
Of after roll call. Private Parks in very ne
" speech presented Capt. Halves with
q magnificent sword, belt and gauntlet
10 The remarks of Parks were very appr,
pirate aud took the captain entirely
surprise. Parks addressing the capita
said when the Rifles elected you unar
; mously they did it because they had co
- fidence in you. You had not then ordert
! us TO double quicA On hot day. You hi
not then ordered US out on a cold di
withou, supplying us with overcoats. "
y had not then been guilty of various sin
lar military unpleasantnesses and nc
u Captain, am requested by the company
call upon you TO resign To resign, u
the command Of the company, but the o
. sword by your side. am we'll aware th
there are memories cliDging around th
lold sword-t,Ae sword drawn when q