Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-06-01

THE FIRST DAYS skIRmlsn.


has been as effectually advertised in
Dubuque since l O'Clock today as il
would be possible to spread before q
city of this size on such an occasion
the virtues Of locality SO worthy of
the earnest and diligent effort for
the twice approved home OF Wood
craft within the time limited.
Before the detected and rejected
city of Fulton was reached today by
the train which bore the advance
guard from Rock Island. there was
an understanding between that con-
tingent and the Nebraska delegation
which accompanied it, if, indeed,
such an understanding was neces-
sary with a body Of men headed by
Rock Islands stesdfast friend, Direc-
tor A. r. Talbot. At Fulton the
train tarried long enough for an in
spec.ion of the head offices, and the
joint delegation marched through
the main street to Head Clerk Halves
quarters, where q quarter of an hour
was spent. As the procession moved
along the denizens gathered on the
walks and passed comments on the
wearers Of the white ribbon, on
which was the simple inscription.
''Rock Island, NJ. w. A." and while
the greeting throng was orderly, an
urchin on corner gave expression
to . sentiment which seemed to find
. popular response when he declared,
with al air Of qualification. "Them's
the fellows we'uns soaked, anyhow"
1t was evident, too, that ente rpris.
ing Fulton was holding its water
supply in check for another emer.
gency, for the street to the depo,
was not even decently sprinkled
and the marching column kicked uI
q dust that had q most distressing
effect. There were no formalilies,
no address of welcome by the town
mayor, who had already departed fol
Dubuque, no kindly salutation Of
any sort, not even an invitation to
visit the town pump. and not &C
much as . considerate God-speed
when the wayfarers, sad-faced,
turned once more toward their cars
Major Halves joined the party when
the journey was resumed.
At the Key City.
Dubuque is indeed the key city on
this occasion, for with the meeting
of the head camp of the Modern
Woodmen is expected to come the
solution for all time Of the much
vexed and long perplexed question
OF the proper and permanent loca
ton OF the head Offices of the order
Rock Island, long forbearing and Of
many disappointments. has come
here for justice, and to lay her claims
before the court of last resort, to
which she has been pointed by the
highest tribunal of law and equity in
Illinois and whose suggested way to
obtain that simple justice she has
adopted. Rock Island is not going
away from here empty-handed. With
legislation on her side provided to
fit the obstacles that have arisen and
with willing workers striving to
exert every influence to emphasize
the claim that was recognized at
Omaha and at Madison, truly meri,
In every form will fail il the prize is
not awarded.
Rock Island has established head
quarters at 465 Main street, which
by peculiar coincidence are in the
same row with the Elgin delegation.
which is the only avowed rival city
up to the present time for the head
Offices. The quarters have already
been prettily decorated, and by to-
morrow Rock Island may have addi-
tional accommodations at the Julien
hotel a few blocks further down
Main street. The white ribbon is
fiuttering from the lapels of dele
gates coats from all over the country
As we'll as the citizens of Dubuque
generally, who are particularly
friendly to Rock Island, and the
scenes of Madison two years ago bid
fair to be rivaled.
Fuiton's Position.
Fulton has had . band Of q dozen
workers here since Saturday. The