The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1881-10-12


pose of applying government test to sew
eral kinds of rock out of which the new
state house will be constructed. He is one
of the state house commissioners and in
that c. paeity was called to this city, to
make report to his colleagues on the com
mission as to the best material for the new
structure.
JUDGE LEE,
as he is generally called, is striking type
of the early settler, and represents class
that is gradually but surely passing away.
He is of medium statue, sparely built,
with clearly cut features that are indica-
tive of personal bravery and more than
ordinary determination. His urbane man
ners partake largely of the southern school,
and may readily be accounted for when it
is known that although of northern birth
he has spent almost his entire life from
early manhood until the present time with
in the confines of Texas.
EARLY SETTLER.
Judge Lee is one of the earliest settlers
of the present thriving town of Austin, as
he located in that vicinity when Texas was
an Independent State; and has been an eye
witness to the various mutations in poll
tics and changes in the country that have
occurred since 1916.
In conversation with a representative of
the ARGUS the visiting Texan detailed his
first trip to Rock Island as early as 1885
At that time he was quite young man,
and in company with three companions he
started up the Mississippi river from ST.
Louis, for the purpose of locating at some
favorable point. From st. Louis, which
was then small place, they went up to
Bonneville, Mo. After viewing that place,
which was regarded as the most promising
place along the river, they crossed over to
Hannibal. Here they lost one of their
number who established himself in the
newspaper business, a favorable opening
presenting itself at the time of their visit.
CHIILs AND FEVER.
The remaining three prospectors came
up the river early in September. and the
most conspicuous features of the then Mis-
sissippi valley was chills and fever.
Everybody had them from Han
nibal and Quincy on the two
banks of the stream as far north as Daven-
port. This peculiar disease gave the resi-
dents of the valley peculiar yellow hue
that neither added to their personal APP
pearance nor gave the locality the best
name for health and happiness. No one,
however, seemed to think much of the
shakes" but the new corners were not ia
vorably impressed with the country. The
mode of travel and conveyance was print
tive and slow, and the trip was then re-
garded as something more than would at
tach to the same journey at the present
time.
ROCK ISLAND.
The party arrived in Davenport and re-
manned there for several days. Among
others whom they met was Antonio LIE
Claire, who at that time, was engaged in
the trading BUSINESS. He visited the Is
land which was then inhabited by Indians.
The Judge failed to remember that Rock
Island was then in existance, as he did not
visit this side of the river and was of the
opinion that the territory was mostly oc
,upied by Indians, although there may
have been some few white settlers on the
spot where Rock Island now stands.
After viewing this section, the young
traveller left for Texas and landed in Aus
lin, where he has continued to reside up to
he present time.