Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-03-02

b0IS 1Og OoSe4Us ~ bO40 Uok4y 08y We
vent TO the island By . horse ferry,
which ran between the two towns,
and whom We were ready to return,
we all stood on the bank and waived
our handkerchieis - . signal for the
ferry to come for rs. At another
time l remember visiting. the fort
when there Was barbecue given for
Gen. Winfield Scott. The nag staff
1T Fort Armstrong was cut down and
made into cane for the Old Settlers
Association of Rock Island county.
Each president OF the society has his
name engraved upon the cane and
carries it through his term of Office.
lone Of the most interesting
places at old Fort Armstrong was the
old Davenport mansion. which was
erected BY Col. George Davenport on
q tract OF land granted him by the
government. This grant was ON the
western part of the leland and beau
tifully located. The house. the ruins
of which arc to be seen today, was
built in colonial style upon 4 grassy
eminence sloping gradually to the
swift running river below. This
mansion was surrounded by magnifi-
cent trees and beautiful flowers.
Here were held many enjoyable en-
tertainments. l we'll remember a
dinner party which attended with
my husband. Around the hospitable
board were Judge and Mrs. Spencer,
DR.. and Mrs. Bracket and Mr.. and
Mes. Joseph Bracket; all but myself
who were there that day have long
since passed away. Rare old silver
and china adorned the table and the
house contained beautiful mahogany
furniture and a quaint spinnet.
brought from England. which de-
lighted me very much at that time
there was but one piano in Rock ISL
and. On the lawn of the Davenport
place was erected by the Indians q
totum pole. setting forth Col. Daven-
parts good qualities. and it has
since been reproduced in stone and
can be seen in the Davenport lot in
Chippiannock cemetery.
The Davenport Tragedy.
cat the Davenport homestead was
enacted one of the tragedies of this
wild country. This region for miles
around was infested by a gang of
horse thieves and coupterfeiters.
On the Fourth Of July, 1S45. this
band came to Fort Armstrong intent
upon plumber. Having been informed
by retainer of the Davenport fami-
~ that money was kept in the house,
and that the family would be absent
at the celebration in Rock Island
that day. they came expecting tc
find their booty and make their es.
cape without hindrance. Instead oil
the deserted mansion, they found the
aged master there, and upon him
they inflicted their fortunes until he
gave up the keys of his safe. He
was dragged up and down stairs b,
the hair Of his head and such inlur.
les we're sustained that he died
shortly after. This foul murder
created the widest excitement and il
was dangerous for strangers to come
here. as the excitement was SO in
tense everyone who was not known
was suspected. Eight arrests were
made--two Reddins. father and son
two brothers Long, Granvill Young
Baxter, Fox and Birch. Baxter wa.
q squatter on the island aud a friend
of the Davenport family and he gave
the information to the gang. HI
turned states evidence and his sen
tence was Imprisonment for life
Birch broke Jail and Fox escaped
Granvill Young. John and Aror
Long were hung in this city in the
slough nearly south from here; these
three were hung at one time. Aaron
Long was q heavy man and tn,
rope broke with him. This created
great excitement. and cries of lie,
him co. murder hang him. wert
heard and amid great noise and con.
fusion they succeeded in hanging
him. The Reddins were defended
by my husband, and although
bad characters and horse thieves
had no completely in this murder
and were cleared.
''Some years after this occurrence,
many people tried to get possession
Of the island. The government set
tied all valid claims and nothing o
much Importance occurred until tn,
breaking out of the Civil war"
| Other Exercises.
The other exercises included q de
scription Of "Fort Armstrong Dur
ing the Civil War" by Mrs. j. M
Buford. "Fort Armstrong From tn,
Civil War to the Present Day" Mrs
Frank Mixter. and Mrs. C. w. Dur
hams beautiful poem, fort Arm
strong" A delightful collation. wa,
Fserved, and the chapter adjourned
to meet at Mrs. j. NJ. Buford's hom,
March %.
The Ideal Panacsa.
James L. Francis, alderman, Chi
cago, says: II regard DR.. King
New Discovery as an ideal panace,
for coughs, colds and lung com
plants, having used IL in NV famil,