davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1902-03-12

NAPlTAL CITY TELEPHONE CON-
~ PANY.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1902-03-12

JOHN B PADJETT,
isp24 General Manager.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-04-26

Rock Island once had Citizens
Improvement association and the
good that organization accomplished
in the three short years of its exist
ence * still fresh i'm the minds of the
ma iority of the business men of mid
die age. Its original mission was en-
tirely fulfilled and il went out of eX.
istcnce only because the work IL had
SET out TO do had been accomplished
But il had another mission. for il
demonstrated that an organization in
Rock Island for patriotic purpose is
practicable and may be made to ac-
complish any reasonable undertake
ing. Thus it has left its example a.
an inspiration TO organized effort in
the future. The Rock Island Club
and the Merchants association have
done much, but there is more TO he
done.
With local patriotism strong among
all classes of citizens; with the muni-
cipaI government well administered:
with the city's latch string out to the
world and reception committee
awaiting strangers at the door, the
story of Rock Islands future cannot
be different from that of its past
with the exception that the momen-
tum of its progress must increase
with each succeeding year.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-04-26

/ land has been uniformly steady and
persistent. The only impetus it ever
received that took on the proportions
of boom was felt immediately after
the completion of the Chicago x
Rock Island railroad in 1854. Prop
erty doubled in value in a short time
and there was rush of speculation
followed by substantial gains in
population and commerce. Rock Is
land changed from an overgrown viii
lage to Il city within a couple of
years and since that time there has
been no period during which health
full rate of development has not been
maintained. Rock Island may be
said TO have always been a conser-
vative commonwealth. but it has been
built upon enduring lines, never eX-
periencing a retrograde movement.
Sustaining Influences.
Experience has shown that cities
on the west banks of the upper Mis-
sissippi have an advantage over those
set opposite or nearly opposite ON
the east banks, in that they catch
ana distribute trade from a larger
area in the natural movements OF
produce toward the east and OF
manufactured articles toward the
west. In this Rock Island is handi-
capped by Davenport. but what the
former loses in location with refer
ence to the river it gains i'm its ad-
vantages as Il manufacturing town.
As soon as rail connection with the
east was established its manufacture
ing interests began to assume inn
pOrtance. Like many other cities ON
the upper river the lumber mills be
came the most extensive of its manu-
featuring establishments and con
tributed largely TO its upbuilding.
The Weyerhaeuser & Denllmann saw
mill was started in 1859 on small
capital and. as the years passed,
grew in size and output till now the
interests which were responsible for
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-04-26

40 city is so complete that it can
~ not be improved cpon. Such a
state would be most deplorable. for il
would mean death to- all municipal
pride. Man is not long content TO
devote his energies TO maintaining a.
fairs of any description in a given
condition. There must be change and
that for what he deems the better or
his interest wanes at once Rock Is
land still has its needs both as re-
CARDS the relations of it's citizens
with each other and with the outside
world. On both heads volumes might
be written, but only general refer
ence TO them will be i'm order here.
Speaking generally, Rock Island
needs, first of all, unity among all
classes of citizens with the city's well
fare and prestige as the central OBJ
ject. \ unity sustained not for the
purpose of obtaining from the out
side world through trickery and mis-
representation that which is not due
and deserved. but for the purpose of
setting forth facts and conditions as
they exist in order that the city's
advantages may be known and valued
at their true worth Such an effort
need not entail personal sacrifice fur
Their, perhaps, than few words or
few moments of time now and then.
1t need not even be entirely unselfish
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-04-26

in it's personal motive, for the inter-
ests of the individual citizen are COM
mon with those of the city as n
whole.
y body of people cannot work con-
sistently for a given end unless they
are conscientious in what they are
about. Therefore. in order to bring
about helpful cooperation il is neces-
sary that citizens of town generally
realize TO the fullest extent the adj
vantages by which they are surround
ed. Through long association il may
be that the people of Rock Island as
a whole have overlooked or have lost
sight of points bearing on this head
that ought TO be always borne in
mind for the benefit of those who may
be induced 70 contribute i'm any way
TO the material prosperity of the city.
Among these may be mentioned:
/. Location central. Most import
ant urban district between Chicago
and Omaha, and St. Louis and ST.
Paul.
2. Shipping facilities uneXcelled.
On main line of three great railway
systems and terminus of three feed
ers.
B. Room for growth. Desirable
sites for business enterprises and
residences abundant.
4. Fuel cheap. Extensive coal
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-04-26

fields with rail connection within %
miles.
5. Has river advantages. On navig-
able stream with power awaiting de
velopment.
6. Contiguous to other cities. Part
of urban community of 100000 in
habitants.
z. Extensively advertised. Name
Rock Island carried over all the
world by a great railroad. famous
arsenal and magnificent bridge.
s. Local conditions ideal. Health
full. beautifully situated and well inn
proved.
Having become fully awake to the
fact that this is "A city to be proud of
the people should take up the work
now of bringing about added muni-
cipal improvements that are needed
from time 10 time and in reaching
out for new means of development
and growth. Systematic advertising
of city is just as much in accord
with the spirit of the age as that
done by commercial firms, and the re-
suits of the one are not less certain
than those of the other. Other cities
are making practice of it and any
city that wishes to hold its own must
do likewise or be relegated in time TO
the status of village. With live
towns bidding against each other for
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-04-26

the location of productive Industries
men who are looking for place TO
establish manufacturing establish
ments will not take the trouble. how
ever alluring otherwise Il place may
he, TO break into il through a hedge
of skepticism and prejudice and to
run the gauntlet OF greedy real estate
agents and property holders in a
quest for suitable site. If they en-
counter such spirit as the above
they will not stop long enough 10
fairly investigate the merits of a
city. but will go on and settle in some
place perhaps really less suitable but
one in which they arc given CON
sistent welcome. Of course il is not
necessary in encouraging the location
of outside enterprises to take mp with
any concern that happens to come
along and thus become the prey of
unscrupulous promoters. Business
judgment should be exercised in this
as in every thing else pertaining To
the management of the affairs of
city. Neither will il generally be
found necessary to raise a large fund
as bait for new business enterprises.
for the more reliable sort of estab-
Iishments are not usually so particu-
lar about this sort of encouragement
as they are about permanent advan-
tageS.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-04-26

ut point uneXcelled both for beauty
and natural advantages. The bluffs
that here wall in the stream from
whose brightest island the city takes
its name are imposing without being
barren. based with fertile lowlands
and backed by productive prairies.
All that is needful for the support of
civilized man is here in abundance.
geographically the city comprises
four square miles. or over 700 city
blocks of land. nearly all level and I'M
derlaid at no great distance from
the surface with Hamilton limestone.
furnishing a base for the heaviest
foundations. and not a lot but may
be utilized for either factories, bust
ness houses or residences As a COM
munity of human beings. Rock Island
occupies a position in keeping with
its natural advantages. 1t has
population of $4,000 within it's cor
porate limits and the adjacent sub
urbs and taken with Moline and Dav
export. forms community of nearly
100000 souls. not exceeded in COM
merciaI Importance by any other
community of equal size in America.
Natural and Other Advantages.
Connected by natural waterways
with the gulf of Mexico and all the
territory washed by the Mississippi
and its navigable tributaries, Rock
Island is also on the lines of three
great railway systems and three
short feeders giving transportation
for both freight and passengers in
all directions at all times. The tri-
cities form the most important cross
ing place on the Mississippi between
st. Louis and St. Paul and the amount
of business here passing back and forth
over the stream is exceeded at these
two places only. The three cities are
also at the western terminus of the
Hennepin canal. which, when com
pleted. will connect them by water
with the great lakes, Offering
cheap outlet for heavy produce and
furnishing another means of connec-
tion with the immense industries of
the east.
No city in the state. outside of
Chicago, is SO well advertised as
Rock Island. On the island opposite
its eastern portion is located the
most important manufacturing arse
nal in the United States from which
munitions and utensils of war are
sent out to all parts of the nation
and to all territory occupied by the
the Mississippi river from the east is
the one bearing the city's name and
which has now grown into one of the
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-04-26

Rock Island Stove company is one of
the substantial industries of the
city, having been in operation nearly
30 years, and the glass factory, which
under trust manipulation was taken
away over ten years ago, was for n
number of years the source of extern
sive activities. OF course there are
numerous smaller establishments and
those of more recent origin. such as
breweries. buggy. shoe shop. soda
water, lumber factories and others
that space forbids mentioning.
In 1870 Rock Island was a healthy
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-04-26

improved streets. few brick sidewalks
and the streets at night were imper-
fectIy Illuminated with oil lamps
There were no sewers and even Il
waterworkS system was thing of
the future. People depended mainly
for their water supply upon wells or
ciSternS and number of drays were
kept busy at all times of the year
peddlin9 river water. For fire pro-
lection there were Il number of large
cisterns at various places about the
city and i'm dry seasons they had To
he filled by hauling from the river or
by the use of fire engines and hose.
But better things were in store for
the Young city.
Advantages Summed Up.
There are many things that enter
into the makeup of a modern city 10
be found in Rock island TO which space
forbidS even reference. and there are
others that can only he mentioned in
passing. There is Il park system. as
yet only partially developed. that will
in the course of time add more 10 the
beauty and desirabiljtN cf Rock Is
land as a place Of residence than the
great majority of people realize.
There are the hotels of The city,
which have done. and which will con
tinue to do much To leave a favor
able impression i'm the minds of Visi-
tors and tranSienis. ST. AnthonyS
hospital. conducted by the franciscan
sisters. cares annually for hundreds
of the i'll and afflicted. many of whom
GO abroad Ia repeat the praises Of
Su, n an institution for the treatment
of suffering mankind. There are
beautiful and substantial buildings.
such as the county court house.
Woodmcn head office with a library
i'm course of construction, handsome
aud well appointed school houses and
churches. an up-to-date theatre. new
and modern railway stations. and
many others. There is as fine sys-
tenn of rapid transit as can be found
anywhere. There * Black Hawks ia
nous Watch Tower just beyond the
southern limits of the city. which is
seen and admired by hundreds of
strangers annually. There is Rock
Island arsenal, always instructive and
attractive. There are the large de-
partment stores which are known far
and wide as emporiuns of trade.
There are plenty of thriving indus
tries and room for more. There are
men who stand high and WELD an in
fiuenee i'm the various professions
that aid. improve and upIift human
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-04-26

AUX of whites began and i'm 1888 the
county of Rock Island was laid out
and county government organized
with the house of John Darrell as the
county seat. The postofTice. which
had been established on the island in
1925. was succeeded by one at the
Darrell house on the mainland in
1894. Joseph Conway being the first
postmaster. The new Office was
named Farnhamsburg.
ut this time the desirability of To-
eating the town that was then seen
to be forming farther west where
there would be more room for growth
was recognized. so in 1885 the county
commissioners passed resolution
ordering that Charles X. Bennett be
ordered 20 survey the town of Stepb-
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-04-26

Overseer of the Poor. II. Lid
derS.
City Weighmaster-W. \. Norris.
Bridge Toll Collaboration Will
liams.
Park commissioners - Richard
Champion. William Sehnert.
Scavenger-,IameS Burris.
The aldermen composing the in
coming council are: First ward
Frank Westbay. Frank w. Blochling-
err: Second ward Louis V. Ecllhart.
Jr.. Charles y. Naab: Third ward
William Hause. Otto II. Birllel;
Fourth ward-Charles +. Willis.
George W. McCaskrin; Fifth ward
George White, William Trefz: Sixth
ward William Kennedy, Fred d..
Gall: Seventh ward a. G. Anderson,
\. +. SoderStrom.
The City's Growth.
The growth of the city of Rock Is
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-04-26

present elective and appointive city
officers are:
Mayor-B. F. Knox.
City Clerk-H. {. SchafTer.
City Attorney-John X. Scott.
City Treasurer-W H. Gest
Police Magistrate-G. \. Johnson.
Chief of Police-.James DarneH
Chief of Fire Departmental Charles
y. Hastings.
Health Commissioner-Dr. Joseph
DeSilva.
superintendent of Waterworks-
Plumb Bancroft.
Plumbing Inspector-Frank Yer
bury.
superintendent of William
j. Gamble.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-04-26

/ most extensive systems in a land of
great railroads. The Rock Island road
now carries the name of the city into
Mexico and in a short time is eX-
pected to have a branch to the Pa
cific coast. This favored city is wide
ly known through the sale of its
manufactured products, which are
distributed far and wide. 1t is also
the home of the Modern Woodmen.
the greatest fraternal organization
in the world, one which covers 81
states.
/. The many natural ana artificial at
fractions of the city make it fav-
orite place for holding conventions
and an objective point for numerous
excursions from surrounding cities
within n few hours ride by rail.
Lastly Rock Island is the seat of gov
eminent of the county of the same
name and one which ranks among
he first i'm population and CONNER
cial Importance in the state. The adj
vantages above enumerated. together
with others of lesser Importance.
coupled with energetic and persist
ent enterprise ON the part of the
people who form its population. have
made Rock island what we find il
TODAY.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-04-26

ing back and forth across the slough
to the post became something of an
obstacle and in 1926 the log cabin.
afterwards known as the house of
John BarrelI." was built by Col. Dav-
export and Russell Farnham, who had
formed partnership. 1t was locat-
ed upon what is now the Cable pro-
perty near the foot of Twenty-ninth
street.
During the next few years a num-
Der of settlers located within short
distance up and down the river, doing
their trading at the post and depend
ing upon the soldiers at the fort for
protection in the Indian troubles that
were then beginning. Settlement was
retarded to some extent during 1881
and 1892 by the Black Hawk war and
the white population for miles
around fiocl<ed to the fort as place of
refuge. When the tribes of Black Hawk
were finally driven away n rapid in
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-04-26

its beginning are among the most eN-
tensive in the lumber business of the
northwest. The Rock Island Lumber
company grew from modest begin
nings made about the same time as
the Weyerhacuser d Denllmann mill
was first built and for many years
did an extensive business. OF late
the rough lumber interests in this
vicinity have given way to finishing
mills to a great extent and other
changes are bound TO be made in the
course of very few years.
The single manufacturing concern
that has done more than any other
for the city is the Rock Island
Plow works. This concern was eS-
tablished in 1855 by Il. ID. Buford, who
founded the firm of b. ID. Buford Il
Co. In 1871 the natural growth made
a reorganization necessary and the
present corporation was formed. The
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-04-26

and Jones, Gurnsey & BeardsIey.
The present limits of the city have
been reached through series of adj
ditions. The town government was
conducted under n board of nine
trustees ffll 1s49. when the city char
ter was granted under which the gov
eminent is carried on at the present
time.
Benjamin F. Barrett was the first
mayor; James q. Bolmer. David e.
Rice, John Al. Waugh, Philip Zahn.
James II. HadselI and Charles h.
Knox, aldermen from the three
wards; Robert Wilkinson. clerk:
James G.. Bolmer, treasurer: William
T. Norris. marshal. and Reynolds &
Bean, attorneys. Following are the
mayors that have served during the
successive terms with the dates of
their election:
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-04-26

The city offices for some time prior
to 1850 occupied the upper floor of
the Bailey & Boyle building, which
stood on what is the present site of
the MITCHELL q Lynde block. About
1860 they were removed to Il building
belonging to the late Ben Harper.
where Harper's theatre was later
constructed, on the northwest cor
ner of Second avenue and Sixteenth
street. After about ten years the
seat of city government found place
in the then newly constructed Star
block, at Second avenue and Nine
teenth street. Here il remained till
the removal to the present quarters
i'm the Armory at the corner of Six
teenth street and Third avenue. The
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-04-26
S S
N22
\R\R

man, that worthy dame remained by
to oversee the work that it might be
perfectly done. In the fullness of
time the task was completed and the
great river flowed placidly between
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-04-26

Young western city of less than 10000
inhabitants with Il promising future
but with very few of the permanent
improvements that would now be
deemed essential 10 a place of its i'm
portance. There was Il limited num-
Der of buildings OF any pretense. no
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-04-26

enson. in Rock Island county, as soon
as practicable The plat of the new
town was recorded July 10. 1885. 1t
comprised about 62 acres of land and
was divided into = blocks besides the
one set aside for0and still used as a
court house square. In November
of the same year the seat of justice
was removed from Farnhamsburg 70
Stephenson and the former place in
a very short time became of minor
Importance.
Town Brought Into Existence.
The town of Rock Island Vas
brought into existence by an act of
the Legislature in March, 1871. which
did away with the town of Stephen
son and united ii with Farnhams-
burg under the present name and
with boundaries. including besides
the old town the additions made by
Thompson & Wells, Spencer & Case
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-04-26
Its Famed Name.

From an island in the Mississippi
Rock Island received its name and to
that island it also owes it's location.
if not its very existence. The build
ing of Fort Armstrong on the west
point of the island. which was done
in 1916. when there was no settle
ment within many miles. naturally
led to the establishing of a trading
post there for the transaction of bust
ness with the Indians and such white
settlers as had taken up their abode
in the interior. This trading post
was established by Col. George Dav-
export near the fort on the island.
As trade grew, the necessity of ferry
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-04-26

)ME hundreds of thousands
of years ago. when Nature
gave water as a mighty
tool into the hands of the
Sun and Gravity and COM
missioned them to draw
it back and forth and fash
ion the upper Mississippi
valley for the abode of
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-04-26

Continued on Page Thirteen.
BoletiÌn mercantil de Puerto Rico. (San Juan, P.R.) 18??-1918, 1902-10-25
La hue|ga en- Francia
M. Combes, imita al Presidente
Roosevelt y aconseja ell
arbitraje
PROBABLEMENTE Sc ARREGLARA

Servico cab ,egrafco especial del Boletn Mercantil
Nueva York, sabado.-Avisos de Pa
rfs, dicen que ell presidente del gabine-
te frances M. Combes, Sc muestra deci-
dido partidario de que Sc establezca una
juuta de arbitraje para entender en- las
frecuentes disputas entire ell capital y Ell
trabajo
La huelga que dio comienzo la tilti-
ma semana, cuenta va con mas de
900 obreros que Ia secundan y ha
tornado proporciones tan enormes como
la del carbon en- los Estados Unidos.
Dfcese que los trabajadores estan con-
formes con ell arbitraje propuesto por
M. Combes, y ell gobierno hace todos los
esfuerzos realizables para que los capi-
talistas acepten la lnediacion que ofrece.
BoletiÌn mercantil de Puerto Rico. (San Juan, P.R.) 18??-1918, 1902-10-25

clio, sin ser nolestado con otras demos
traciones de desagrado, quela silva tire.
menda y algunos gritos.
BoletiÌn mercantil de Puerto Rico. (San Juan, P.R.) 18??-1918, 1902-10-25
Por Latimery y Fernandez:
a Elias Wolff, : bles -cebollas.

Por Latimery y Fernandez:
Elias Wolff, 5 bles s-cebollas.
Freirfa, Alfonso y co, Fernandez,
Gauran y CO. y Barcelo y co, 10 BIS man
zanas.
Por Luifia hermanos:
Cadierno Lopez 7 co, Sues de Pc
rez hermanos, Hilario Santos y co. Ber-
nardo Fernandez y hermanos y A. Sua-
rez y co, I6 CPS cholizos.
Por Caldas y CO.:
a Fernandez. Gauran y co. y Barcelo
Iy co. 4 cls pescados, IA cls carnes
aves.
IA. Suarez y co, Sues. de Perez her.
manos, Hilario Santos y co, Bernardo
Fernandez y hermanos y Cadierno Lo
PEI y co, 6.cls chorizos, 6 cIs morcillas
Por Villar y co.:
Castrillon y Ochoa, 40 CTS mante-
quilla Asturiana "Velarde,' y I.225 ca
nastos cebollas.
/ A. Vicente y CO, 20 cs conservas.
~ cIs ajos gategos.
/ afF. Font y hermano, 2 CTS morclllas
Bernardo Fernandez y hernanos y
lSucrs, de F. Juncos y co, 6 cIs sardinas
| A, T.
a Juan A. Perez y Sues de F. Juncos
~ co, s CPS chorizos y encurtidos.
Almacenados, $50 sardos tasajo.
CAMBIOS
vista &.8oH &
Londres. 20 div $485 {
90 div & 81 &
New York, vista $40 pS P
Paris, vista . ~ p8 2
Espafa, s dv.... 25A p8 d
vAPORES QUE Sc ESPERAN
Cnbano aAfaria Herrera Llegara
este puerto del 2S al 80 del corriente
mes, procedente de Habana ! escalas
intermedias.
Esp. aPio Saldra de Barcelona
lei dfa 81 del corriente mes con destinc
este puerto y hacienda las escalas de
costumbre.
Esp. Miguel M. Pinillos" Con desti-
Ino este puerto los de Maysguez
Ponce, Stgo. de Cuba, Habana y Ma
tauzas, sali6 de Canarias el dia IA de
corriente mes
Esp Montevideos Salio de Cadiz cor
destino este puerto e dia IS del CO
j lrriente mes hacienda escala en- Cana