Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1888-09-11
SOME ARSENAL HISTORY.

The Death Of Major Ktngsbury, the
First Commandant. and some Facts
it Recalls.
The death of Major C. P. Kingsbury
recently, recalls to the mind of the Daven.
port Democrat Gazette the fact that he
was the first commandant of the arsenal
and armory in Rock Island. having been
appointed July "a, 1858. A year before
he, Major Calender and Capt. Treadwell
were appointed as board to select sites
On the Island for buildings and to de-
termine upon the materials to be used in
construction. The report of this board
fixed accurately the site of the large
storehouse at the west end of the island,
recommended sites for magazines and
other buildings. and the use of LeClare
stone in their construction. Major |
Kingsbury entered upon his duties as
commandant on the 18th of August, '63. |
Ground for the first building was broken |
on the 1st day of September following.
The corner stone at the northwestern
angle of the building was laid on the 9th
| day of April, 1864. In the stone was
deposited bottle containing copies of
| the Davenport Democrat, Davenport
| Gazette and Rock Island Union, half
dollar in silver, date of laying the corner
stone, the name of the president of the
| United States and of the officers of the
arsenal. The building is nearly on the
site of old Fort Armstrong. and the wins
dow frames of the basement were made
of oak obtained from the old fort.
Major Kingsbury was in command IN
til June 80, 1865, when he was succeeded
by Gen. Rodmsn. AT that time the base
ment and portion of the first story were
completed. No other buildings were
commenced during Major Kingsbury's
command. but about seven hundred yards
of stone were procured for magazine.
During all the time of Major Kings
bury's command. the military prison was
on the island. and frequent conflicts of
authority occurred between arsenal work.
men and troops belonging to the prison
guard. The former were interfered with
and hindered by the guards, and troubles
occurred in regard to the cutting down OF
trees and the use of materials.
The act of congress approved July l..
1852, was for the establishment of only 3
small arsenal for storage and repair. 1t
had, however, been plan and cherished
wish of the war and ordnance departments
and of officers of the army high in rank,
to have constructed somewhere in tn
Mississippi valley great arsenal of con-
struction, consistent in character and Ca
pscity with the probable growth, msgni-
tude and necessity of this part of the
country. The plan was not lost sight of
but was prominently in view when the
arsenal was located. and it was hoped
that it would become the great arsena
for the west. This idea was fully SCI
forth and urged in the letters of Majo
KiHgsbury as early as 1868, and he did {
great deal toward accomplishing the OBJ
ject 1t was in 1854 that Major Kings
bury directed the several parties who
held possessions on the island to vacst,
and remove.
MAJOR Kingsbury had deal of troubl
over the failure on the part of the ston
contractor to furnish stone for ware
houses as fast as required. A contrsc
had been made in '63 with Joseph Pal
kins, of Madison, Wis. to furnish LII
Claire stone at 81 so per perch--but afte
working under the contract Mr.. Parkir
claimed the price was too low and he WI
losing money. In June, "a, new col
trsct was made with him, the price beir
advanced to $40. 80 per perch--snd b.
fore long Mr.. Parkins claimed that tn
was too low, as the war had enhance
the price of labor greatly. Then co
gress passed a joint resolution for his l
lief, allowing him $13 so for all stone d
livered since the date of the first co
tract Receiving his money MIR. Park
left for parts unknown-snd his creditc
got 50 $50 from the government on
account The stOrehouse was not col
pleted until 1867. At his own reque
Major Kingsbury was relieved from CO.
/ mand of the arsenal in 1865, and Gt
(then Major Rodman was assigned
the command. In taking leave of
arsenal, MAJOR Kingsbury wrote:
Having been ordered here at his o.
request, Major Kingsbury transfers
duties to bis successor with the hope Il
the latter will not be tried with the nul
q erous delays and vexations which ha
= attended the period of his connect
with the Rock Island Arsenal"
During the period of his comma
Major Kingsbury disbursed about 81
600 for work and material on the Islar