Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-02-06
STORY OF ARSENAL
As Related by the commandant,
Col. S. z. Blunt, in Cav
airy Journal.
100000 HAS BEEN SPENT
Plans for Operation of Small Arms
Plant Soon to be Com
pIeted.

| Following is the story in full OF
Rock Island arsenal written by Col. 5
+. Blunt, appearing in the January
number of the journal of the Unite
States Cavalry association, and 10
| which brief reference was made in
last evenings Argus:
The beautiful island in the Aissis-
sippi river opposite the site of the cit
les of Davenport. Iowa. and Rock ISL
and and Moline, H.. was first acquired
by the government through treaty
with the Indians in 1904, but was not
definitely occupied until in the year
following the subso quent war with
Great Britain. when the military post
of Fort Armstrong was established
and maintained for 20 years; it gained
subsequent renown through the ser
vice there of Taylor. Lincoln. Davis
and ScOtt-three presidents. and the
other candidate for that office.
The fort played its part in the
Black Hawk war, and the island and
its vicinity still treasure recollec-
ticns Of the noted Indian warrior
who with his tribe often visited II for
hunting and fishing and for their coun-
ell meetings.
During the next two decades the isl
and was several times the subject of
official reports recommending its Sc
lection fer the site, of a proposed
western arsenal. but il was not until
July II, 1862. that congress passed
the act authorizing the establishment
of the arsenal and providing the first
funds for beginning the necessary
buildings. y year later storehouse
was erected (of which. however, not
much use can now be made), but If
tie could he accomplished toward the
completion of the arsenal. as the cen
trail part of the island was for several
years occupied as military prison,
where over 10000 confederate soldiers
were from time 10 time confined.
In 1865 Gen. Thomas j. RCdman was
assigned to the command. and follow
ed in 1871 by Gen. Daniel W. FIagIer
who remained commandment until 1856
To those two officers is mainly due the
the general plan of the arsenal as it
exists today, with nearly all its prin-
cipal buildings; their conception of
the disposition and arrangement of
the 10 great shops, with the various
buildings, was an immense
advance over the stereCtNped plan of
all arsenal construction of preceding
years, and in subsequent developments
II response 10 great demands upon the
arsenars resources. has proved most
adapted for the purpose for
which designed.
Attractive Pleasure Ground.
The island, containing nearly 1.O00
acres, is irregular in shape. about 2H
miles long and "a of mile across at
it's widest part. 1t rises in the center
where the shops are located to "a
height Of about 90 feet above the
river. 1t is beautifully diversified with
wood and cultivated lawn, and with
Is u miles of excellent reads. provides
IN attractive pleasure ground for the
residents of the neighboring cities.
as well as the scene of operation for
active work by many hundreds of me-
rhanics.
The main channel of tho Mississippi
river passes between the island and
the Iowa shore, Il much narrower
branch separating it from the Hi
ncis bank. Across this small stream
a short distance above the shops, q
masonry dam has been constructed
in consequence of the
reach of rapids opposite and above
he island. water power of ample
capacity. having a head of from ~
10 II feet, according to the stage Of
river. and on the dam. operated by
20 turbines. have been installed three
current generators of IL
$50 kilowat total capacity, with the
accompanying eNciters. switchboIrds.
etc. required for their operation. The'i
power thus generated ! transmitted
Dy wires placed in tunnels of sufficient