Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-10-03
KEOKUK PLEASED
Feels That All Possible Has
Been Done to Call Atten-
ton to Waterways.
NEED WAS PLAINLY SHOWN
Some Reflections Upon Greatest Dem
onstration in the History of
the Upper River.

Aboard the Frolic, near Fort Madi-
son, Iowa, Oct. 2.-CBy Argus Staff
CurrespOndent)- THE general feeling
prevails in Keokuk and vicinity for
lowing the visit to that city of Presi-
dent Roosevelt, that he and the meat
bers of the Waterways commission
better see the need for and advantages
the people was strongly shown i'll the
| enthusiastic demonstration yesterday
and the immense gathering of differ
ent craft was evidence that an I'M
proved river would be used.
A fleet of II steamers, over 100
launches of all sizes and build, AMI
many row boats and canoes in addi-
| ton has never before been seen i'll /;
port on the upper Mississippi at one
| time. The steamboats, lined along the
levee for the length of three city
blocks, were themselves a sign of in
dustry, and the thick jam of pleasure
craft for nearly a half mile betokene
prosperity When the pleasure craft
were all stationed in the harbor in
parade line their appearance was ey-
ceedingly picturesque and the preSi-
dent showed his appreciation in con-
tinually bowling and smiling.
| In all decorations the national cOlors
prevailed, some of the boats being
trimmed in tasteful and elaborate de-
signs. The purpose of the display was
not lost sight of, however, as posters
bearing the inscription, Deep Water
ways" were placed in conspicuous
places.
Did Credit to Town.
The manner of demonstration was
lcreditable. The steamer Mississippi,
a large and graceful boat, was trim l.,
new paint and had the presidents flag
flying from its staff. Swinging through
the draw of the bridge, which was OUT
lined i'll the national cOlors, it steamed
down the center of the two long lines
of launches while the occupants of the
latter cheered and footed their Will
ties. At the same time all of the Keo-
kuk factory whistles added their noise
and people who lined the levee and the
Keokuk Bluffs, cheered and waved flags
When the Mississippi reached the
lower end of the fleet of pleasure craft
it turned and lay in midstreafn, while
the launches passed on the port side
for review by the president.
The signal was then given the other
steamers to fall in the rear of the
presidents boat and in a short tins
the Mississippi, followed by six other
steamers, passed down the river The
. steamers in line included the follow
ing in addition to the presidents
steamer:
Lily, United States lighthouse ten
der, as guard boat.
Col. A. Mackenzie, bearing the i'll
land waterways commission.
Illinois, state fish commission boat
bearing Governor Deneen.
: Diamond 10 liner Sidney, represent
. ing the river packets and bearing {
large number of eXcursionists.
White Collar line steamer Columbia
with the Keolluk Commercial clu'
aboard.
u. S. steamer Grace, acting as es
> cort boat to the Mississippi
The Helen Blair representing Dav
EXPORT, Rock Island, MusCatine ant
, Burlington.
r The Uncle Sam, representing Quin
cy, ILL.,
The Silver Crescent
The Ottumwa Belle, of Fort Mad
9 son, Iowa.
D The Gardie Eastman, contractors
working boat, upper Mississippi rive:
: The Mary Mac
In addition to these, there were owe
: 100 launches, of which The Argus boa
Frolic, representing the only newspa
t per in line, was one.
Decorations Were Unique.
Keokuk feels and may well do 81
! that it did itself proud in entertain
> ing the country's executive. Elaborar
decorations trimmed the natural
beautiful streets of the Gate city, an
the result, looking up the long stretc
of Main street which runs through tn
. business section, was very pretty. TIL
y parade followed up this thoroughfa q,
: in going to Rand park, where the ar
dress was delivered by the presiden
before an immense throng. The visi
= ors to the city were thought to equi
" the population of 10000. Every regl
:, lar train with extra coaches and man
i, special trains from all points wer
= crowded, many visitors coming froI
points 100 miles or more distant. Fou
boat excursions landed, all crowde,
and others came from nearby village
D. in vehicles. Several hundred came i
h the visiting launches, of which ther
v were 10 or II from Burlington, thre
8 or four from Dallas City. nearly 4
, from Fort Madison and few frOi
| minis above Burlington to ClintO'