Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-07-11


former resident of this city and now
editor of the publication in which the
letter was published. Recently he
returned and made visit to his for
mer home, in company with his father,
and the impressions he gained told
in his own words are interesting.
Therefore they are reprinted in full:
Upon the banks of the Mississippi as
il flows in a long westward bend
between the commonwealth of Hi
nois and Iowa are located three en-
terprising and growing cities-Rock
Island, Moline and Davenport. OF
these, Davenport on the Iowa side, is
the largest, having population of
$4,000 people. Rock Island, the most
population of $4,000, and Moline, a
manufacturing centre, has popula-
ton of about 10000 people.
In 1852 the father of the writer ar
rived in the United States from the
land of his birth, Sweden, and made
his way to the villages of Rock ISL
and and Moline. From Chicago the
party proceeded by way of the Hi
nois canal. Crowded upon a canal
boat, with q mule ON the tow path
for motive power, they landed in La
Sale, a distance of about 100 miles,
after q tedious trip. There still re-
manned so miles of the journey over
land. No conveniences were to be
had at LaSalle or Peru and so the
young men started on foot for Mo-
line to secure teams. At Rock ISL
and father remained until 1868, when
he moved to Paxton, Ill. At that time
he could have purchased all the land
he might have desired at IS an acre,
and he spent time hunting rabbits
where now lie bustlirg city streets
and beautiful residences. Now, after
an absence of 40 years, he returned
to view what changes had been
wrought in that time. Old landmarks
are scarce among the buildings. y
few business blocks from those days
are still standing. The maiestic
Father of Waters, here half a mile
wide, with a strong current, is ever
the same, and the ferryboat still
makes regular trips across every Is
minutes, although two bridges now
span the river and electric cars bind
the cities together with rapid inter
communication.
The CIty's Name.
The city of Rock Island derives it's
name from the island that divides the
Mississippi for some distance up the
stream. The island is a government
reservation and contains one of the
largest arsenals and government
works in the nation. Upon the old
public square of the city, now a
beautiful little park. is a statue erect
ed to the memory of Black Hawk, the
Indian chief. When the Sacs ana
Foxes in 1882 refused to abide by the
treaty i'll which they had coded their
territory east of the river to the
white man, and Black Hawk rallied a
host of 1000 braves to resist the adj
vance of the pale faces, Rock Island
was first made n military station.
Having induced its selection as
strategic point in the early history,
Black Hawk may perhaps in that
sense be regarded as the patron saint
of Rock Island
What has made the city of Rock
Island we'll known among Swedish
Americans throughout the nation is
the location there of the Augustana
college and Theological Seminary.
This institution OF learning is the
Mecca for the Swedes of the Luther
an faith in this country. Upon ter
race ON the side of a commanding
bluff midway between Rock Island
and Moline stands the imposing build
ings. Behind them looms up the wood
cd faIx- Oh
Zion" (Sion kulle) by the founders of
the school. At its highest point is
erected a fag-pole from which the
national emblem is swung to the
breeze upon festaI occasions. y band
stand is also erected there from
which at such times the college band
discourses music. In front and be-
low the buildings stretches a gently
sloping tract which is the property of
the school-the campus, where the
field sports, of the students take place.
The view from the building is mag
nificent. Below at some distance
flows the mighty Mississippi. 1t is
here divided into two streams by the
densely wooded Rock island. The
arsenal buildings and clock tower
are in sight from this point. Beyond
the river may be seen the city of
Davenport. A more beautiful location
for a school cannot be found.
Schools Deserted.
We found the school buildings com
Paratively deserted. The students in
most cases had departed for their
summer vacation. The conservatory
of music however, had not closed its
work for the year. President Gustav
Andreen and assistants were busy
with their work-corresporde and
the mailing of catalogues, i'm addition
to the administrative duties by no
means closed with the taking of the
recent examinations. A visit to the
various rooms of the new building
Quilt in 1887 shows it to be well de
signed for the use required of it.
The recitation rooms are airy and
we'll lighted. The chapel is roomy and