Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-12-31

the sunshine and shadow which make
up the common lot, and in restrospec-
ton contemplates the briefly writ
ten story. 1t has nor been a partic-
ularly eventful 12-month in local
history. There have been the Gus
tomary ups and downs, but taken as
whole Rock Island has gained.
1t has gained in industrial develop
ment and in permanent improvement,
as is shown in more elaborate form
elsewhere.
There have been no great disas-
ters and no serious loss by fire, al
though sad mishaps have occurred
involving loss of life, and in the nat
ural course of human events deaths
dark pail has lowered over many
homes.
In a public way the long vexed
telephone question was adjusted.
new franchise was granted the Tri-
City Railway company which insures
much needed extensions. The city
installed a new filter plant, complet-
ed the Sixth ward sewer system and
contracted for an automatic fire
alarm system, a crying need forIt
years, which is now in process of in
stallation.
The ancient custom of levying a
toll over the Rock river bridges was
finally abolished by the council
The city vacated certain streets
in the west end to permit of devel-
opment on the part of Rock Islands
pioneer industry, the Rock Island
Plow company.
The long desired interurban to the
south was brought to the gates of the
city, and it is hoped before many
months pass the big inter-urban
coaches viii be running through the
streets of Rock Island.
49, The unusually low stage of the
water in the Mississippi river cut off
navigation early in the season and
it was the first season in years that
there has not been the customary
visits of the big packets plying the
upper river.
On the happier side of life in Rock
Island, there has been much TO at
tract and entertain. Rock Island
continued on the baseball map from |.
which at this moment. sad to relate. /
1t threatens to withdraw. As usual /
it carried the citys name TO fame !
and glory in the ThFee-Eye league /.
race and while it closed the season
in financial straits. it. lost none Of
its standing as a BASEBALL town and +
not any of its craftsmanship spirit. .
1t had the satisfaction of being the
first city in the Mississippi valley I
above ST Louis, ami in the middle
west, 70 present aeroplane fights in
the feats given by Eugene Ely in
connection with the annual Rock Is
land Exposition.
new theatre was built and steps
taken to provide another. The plans
for new modern club house for
the Rock Island club advanced to
the point where the project is as
sured.
At the fall election two new county /
officers were added to the list at the !
court house under the new census APP .
portionment. in a probate judge and
probate clerk.
4 systematic movement for the
moral uplift of the city re-
suited in sensational revelations as
10 the extent of open as we'll as defiant
violation of law and resulted eventu-
ally in the promise of more whole /
some conditions in the future.
Petitions were circulated and num-
erously signed insuring 70 the people
the opportunity. which they may
avail themselves of next Tuesday. of
voting on the proposition of adopting
the commission plan of government
to supersede the system long in
vogue.
Here is the record of mOle impor-
tant happenings of the year, month .
by month
IhNIIARN
death of Mrs. Katherine Cloudev
Schafer, aged &C.
death of Charles Pomranke, aged .
81
&C z. Davis and Evan Roderick,
veterans of the Rock Island road.
retire with pay under new age
limit plan. Were first in this city
to be retired.
Boston Shoe store bought from G. A,
Price company by the NJ. & X.
company.
death of John J. Claussen, aged 81.
Death of Mrs. Johnson Parker, aged
SO.
5-Henry Rails of Davenport. aged 60,
commits suicide by shooting.
G-Contract let by Rock River Trac-
ton company for all electric line
between Sterling and Rock Island,
to be completed in 1912.
ii. f. Staggner of Sheffield, aged
% a brakeman on the Rock Island
road. killed at East Moline by be-
ing struck by passenger train.
S-Death of Mrs. Peter Schroeder,
aged so.
9-Death of John p Newberg aged
\ 81 at home on Cars island Was
the inventor of the boat toboggan.
fDeath OF Mrs. Hannah Nilsson,
NEed II.
@sh of Mrs. Grace Buford wife of
7 late Captain T. J. BufOrd
YVTh of G. H. Mckinley. aged 81.
S1ts ex-postmaster of Moline.