The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1880-07-19

The First Cholera Here Rock island
Post Abandoned Sanitary Camps
Record Treaty Grounds--The
Last Of Blackhawk
the Indian.

closely identified with Rock Island that
we reproduce it, with some slight changes
designating localities. so as to make it
more clearly understood. The Democrat
says;-
In 1832-forty"eight years ago. about
this time of the year, there was greater
rage CffAsiatic cholers in this vicinity
than has ever since been known,
It happened in this way: Gen, Win
field Scott had been ordered during the
previous year to take thousand troops
| and proceedsto Wisconsin Territory and
silence the turbulent tribes that Black
hawk, the mighty Indian Chief. was in
ducing to fight the settlers. His forces
moved westward from New York, via the
Erie Canal to Buffalo, where, in embark
| ng upon transport that was bound to
some point near Chicago. inadvertently
the troops passed ON the wharf Canadian
who was laying there in the sun sick with
| the cholera
a few days. later. after the transport
had got well out to sea, the disease broke
out among the close packed troops and
| ragged with great violence-so that many
died. The much decimated force landed
near Chicago and wintered there-moving
down as far as the present site of Dixon
then an Indian trading post. in the spring
OF 1882, and Gen, Atkinson, then in COM
mand, sent their baggage down Rock
River in boats under charge of his Ran
gers, and landed it at Big Island. near
the present village of Milan where il was
left subject to elemental publication.
| The Rangers came around up the Mis-
sissippi aud went into quarters at the cold
spring on the present Democrat Farm.
Soon after one of them was taken sick,
and no one knowing what allied him, was
conveyed to the hospital on the Island of
Rock Island, which had then been q
military station for sixteen years. The
surgeons at this post were not familiar
With the decease-in fact knew not what
it was. The hospital was situated near
the bakery, and soon the contagion
spread among the bakers. and spread into
the camp. Nothing that the surgeons or
physicians called from distance could do
had any effect in staying the ravagss of
the scourge. One hundred were soon
dead cut of a garrison of four hundred,
when it was decided to desert the post.
The garrison was then divided. One
detachment was posted on the site of the
now Democrat Farm, another at the nov
| " atkins Place, a mile farther ap the
river. This selection of camps was made
in order to enjoy the wholesome water of
the copious springs at each of these
places. The third division went into
quarters on the Illinois side. on the ground
now occupied by P. L. Cables residence.
The fort being thus abandoned, and the
garrison scattered into healthfui places,
| the scourge subsided-and il is affirmed
| that not death occurred after this de-
parture The cholera had been introduc~
ed by Gen. Scott's baggage, and had
wrought fearful havoc; filed up q grave
yard at the lower end of the Island
road now passes,
At the close OF the Blackhawk war a
short time afterwards, Gen. Scott's force
camedown, but kept away from theIsland-I
pitched their tents on the Davenport side
of the river, on the grounds now occupied |
by the G, r. /. & P. freight depot, |
Davenport, and on the 9th Of iSeptember
1882, the treaty was there held with the |
Sac and Fox Indians that save the whites |
that 3tract of land known to the early |
settlers as the "Blackhawk Purchase"
and subsequently as the Iowa District"
At this treaty was the bargain made by |
which Antoine LIE Claire became possess
ed of section of land at the foot of the
rapids-now Davenport, and another at
the head. now known as lie Claire. This !
was for the good will the Indians bore the |
noted half-breed. who was also the treaty |
interpreter. 1t is said that Mr.. LIE Claire |
was inclined to locate this lower section. |
which lies between Western Avenue and
Bridge Avenue. some farther up the river,
but was persuaded otherwise.
Keokuk was the contracting chief On
ihO dbN IL W0c AC WIZ luclsb-
ed upon this mupifcept gift to Mr., L.
Claire. Chief Blackhawk was In disgrace
and hsd no part in the treaty. For him
self Keokuk freservedEa square of forty
miles on the Iowa river, long known as
"Keokuk Reserve. This. at a subse-
quent Treaty by Gen. Dodge, on the
Democrat farm grounds. in Septem Der.
and 1886, was bought for $4,000 yearly
for thirty years. the payment of the debts
of the tribe. and the support of gunsmith
and blacksmith among them for same
period. The tribe then numbered about
l, 600. chiefs and warriors.
At this last treaty Blackhawk was pres-
emit. but was allowed TO have no part Ia the
but stood apart with his
warrior son, Nan-she as-kuk and few
other friends, as sad, sullen, silent specta
tors. 1t was the Hast visit made by the
GHETTO this locality his moet
loved home-the home of bis fathers and
tribe for many! hundred years. In token
Of his supreme disgust for Indian patriot
ism and Indian reoreancy under Keokuk, i
Id al IL