Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-02-21
ToAsr no ROCK ISLAND
t. j. MedIH Presents Oiry's Compliments
to MT. Brown


Elk Mayor T. j. Medill next responded
to the toast Rock Island" speaking
substantially as follows:
Mr.. Toastmaster and Gentlemen:-
We have met here in this room on vari-
Gus occasions TO celebrate the completion
of various enterprises. We have met here
to celebrate the return of our brave sol
diers from a victorious war. We meet
here on this occasion to celebrate the
completion of our magnificent depot and
to do honor to our distinguished guests.
IF there are any lines OF industry to
which the people of Rock island should
feel partial it is that of the railway and
manufacturing interests We realize that
through this agency more than anything
else, are we enabled to give employment
to our labor and to build up and make
our city Il center of commerce and in
dustry. We feel that every improvement
that is made brings US one step nearer
we have been often told and fully be-
lieve, that our city is fortunate It's to its
location. Centrally located in the great
Middle West, midway between the cities
of Chicago and Omaha, st. Louis and st.
Poul; in the heart of the great agricul-
tural district of the Mississippi valley;
with the great trunk lines of railroads
that are now and others that are in
contemplation of converging at this
point; situate as we are, upon the banks
of the great FEATHER of Waters" capable
of carrying upon its placid bosom the
commerce of Il nation; we feel that for
tune has kindly smiled upon us and that
nature has favored us with a lavish hand.
ITO these natural advantages, which
Providence has so generously bestowed,
it is our duty, as citizens, TO add our
combined efforts and prove to the world
our appreciation of this great favor. To
all who contribute in this respect, we
feel profoundly grateful: to no one. at
present, are we more indebted than to
our distinguished guest. MIR. w. G.
Brown. He has, with Others, given to
the people of Rock Island, aside from a
great railway service, a magnificent de-
pot station; depot that is a pride To
the people of Rock Island, and an honor
and credit to himself and the company he
represents. OF course as we view that
magnificent structure standing out in
bold relief, we recognize. Mr. Brown, that
your work is not yet complete; we real
ize that You have in view the construc-
tion of a brick wall across your yard on
Twentieth street in order to hide from
view the freight and coal cars in your
yard: that YOU will erect train shed
for the accommodation of your patrons;
that you will give us a direct train ser
vice to Chicago; and most of all, that
YOU will institute large striking clock
i'm the tower that it NAV give warning
at night to our belated citizens that the
respectable hour of retiring has arrived,
you have, Mr.. Brown in the construc-
ton of the depot, won the appreciation
and admiration of our men; in the in
stitution of a clock You will gain the
love and appreciation of our ladies. In be-
half of the assembled gentlemen, repre-
senting the professional, banking, mer-
camille, manufacturing aud varied bust
ness interests of Rock Island, l present
you viii this beautiful loving cup, as a
token of our appreciation, friendship and
esteem. We hope you will accept of it,
and hold it as loving remembrance of
the friendship and good feeling enter
tanned toward you by the people of Rock
Island"
vociferous applause followed the
presentation. The cup is of solid
silver and was purchased through II.
ID. Folsom. 1t is Is inches in height
and gold-lined. 1t bears this inscrip-
ton:
=.........................
Presented to
VIC. BROWN, GENERAL MANA
GER C., b. & @. RAILWAY.
BY Citizens OF Rock 1. land as a Mark
OF Appreciation and Esteem,
Feb. 20, 1901.
s...-...,...-'-.. ..-..s
On the diverse side is inscribed a
likeness of the depot, with these
words:
NEW BURLINGTON DEPOT
AT ROCK ISLAND. ILL.