Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-07-13
A DAY IN ROCKFORD.
How the Merchants and Their
Friends WhiIed Away
Their Time.
PLEASANT AFFAIR ALL AROUND.


Entertained - Aldermen Shown the
Sights by Mayor Brown-Reach Home
Shortly After Midnight.
Those who Joined the members of
the Rock Island Retail Merchants
Protective association in their first an
nual outing reached home shortly
after II O'Clock last night, completely
tired out. but all happy and satisfied,
feeling that their time was pFotitably
and enjoyably spent. Rockford, with
her beautiful homes, humming man
ufactories. handsome business blocks
and, what appeals stronger than any
thing else to the visitor. good friend
ly and sociable people. afforded
abundant attraction and entertain
ment for the excursionists.
All were glad they went, and those
who missed out on the merchants
first annual will regret it when they
hear how their neighbors enjoyed
themselves. Taking into considera
ton the other picnics and excursions
that were gi, en-, the Rockford party
was large one. something over seven
hundred tickets being sold.
While the heat was extremely OPP
pressive at intervals, all through
more beautifully ideal day for such
trip could not have been asked for.
Everything combined to make it
pleasant occasion, the early morning
sweep over pretty stretch of farm
ing country, with prosperity budding
forth in all its splendor in healthy
and heavy crops, being a picturesque
sight, and the singing of the merry
,.aNa MI tnt.
tanned themselves but the villagers
along the route. evidencing that the
Rock Islanders were having all the
fun that they could have expected to
have. =
Agent L. III. Greer and Trainmaster
III. G. Cornell. of the Milwau-
kee, accompanied the party both
ways and contributed greatly toward
the entertainment of the visi-
tors, whom, with the assistance of the
Merchants associations arrange
ments committee. they directed as to
sight seeing, hotel accommodations,
etc.
Arrival in Rockford.
There was an immense crowd to
greet the Rock Islanders at the Rock
ford depot when the two special
trains pulled in closely following one
another shortly after l l a. m. Bleuer's
band played several lively airs as the
visitors dispersed, many who had
taken their lunch baskets going di-
rectly to Harlem park, where they
satisfied their appetites, which had
been sharpened by the long ride. For
few hours the Rock Island folks had
possession of the hotels and restaur-
ants of the city. During the after
noon a rig was not to be had, nearly
every livery stable having been 'sold
OUT two hours after the arrival of
tn excursion trains.
Those Rock Island people are GER
tainly the real thing" said Rock
ford official. when they go they go
right. That's proper, too"
The ball game between the M. &c
KS. and the Young Mems Catholic
Union team was played at Long View
park. George Bubser, who pitched
occasionally for the Rockford West
ern association club the present sea-
son, was pitted against the M. & KS,
for whom Claire Meanor did the twirl
ing. 1t was three and three until the
eighth inning, when the Rockford
boys secured another run, winning
the game. The Rock Island boys sur
rendered chance to win, not going
to bat in their half of the eighth.
They were obliged to quit in order to
catch their train.
The ball game was poorly attended,
the excursionists feeling that as they
had but 4 few hours to remain they
ought to make the best of it in travel
ing over the city.
Aids. Basilius Winter, H. L Wheel
an, Robert Beck and J. w. Lawhead
represented the municipality. The
first named three called on Mayor Z.
w. Brown, who provided a trap for
them and had Them driven about,
showing them the city's quarry, wa
ter plant and other public works.
Mayor Brown is enthusiastic over
Rockford's water supply, and he has
reason to be. Artesian water is used
there altogether. There are II wells,
but all are not operated as yet. The
plant has n capacity of 5000, 900 gal
Ions daily. Rockford has expert
mented with asphalt. b-ick and cedar
blocks as street paving material.
The asphalt is very satisfactory, but
cedar block and brick haven't much
of standing there Many streets
are being improved with macadam
at cost of 12l cents per front foot to
property holders, the city paying a
like proportion. The cheapness of
this struck the Rock Island aldermen
forcibly. 1t is claimed to he durable,
wearing for from to 8 years. Ac-
companying the Rock Island alder
men on their tour of the city were
Aid F. E. Sterling. City Engineer Ed
Main, Fire Chief Ed Heffran and Chief
of Police Bargen- There is notable
! contrast in the sizes of the Rockford
patrolmen and the little ROSTERS we
have at home. The city has first
class fire department. There are
five hose houses Mr. Hefran has
been connected with the department
il years. eight as chief. The position