davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-04-01
TELLS OF OLD
DAYS ON RIVER
Captain George B. Merrick De-
ivers Delightful Lecture
in Davenport.
FIRST CAME HERE IN 1854
Ran as Pilot on Upper Stream in the
Days Before the War-Had
Interesting Career.

Golden Times on the Mississippi"
was the subject of a delightful address
delivered last evening by Captain
George B. Merrick of Madison. Wis.
at the new Putnam building in Daven-
port. The lecture was under the aus
pices of the Davenport Academy of
Sciences and was attended by a large
number of Rock Island and Davenport
residents.
"Reminiscences of the early days Of
steamboating. and stereOpticon views
to illustrate them, were given by the
captain Captain Merrick told of COM
ing to Rock Island in 1854 when he
was IS years old. He said he came
into this city on one of the first trains
running into Rock Island His first
cruise on the river was on the old side
wheeler Minnesota Belle 1t was tied
up at the local wharf, and alongside
was the stern-wheel steamer Luella.
PORTABLE SAWMILL.-
The stern-wheeler was a sight to the
eyes of the youthful Merrick. and he
asked of someone along the wharf what
the vessel was. He was told that it
was portable sawmill and that the
wheel at the stern ran the machinery
which sawed the wood on the inside of
the vessel. He believed that he had
made a new discovery, but was soon
set Alright as to the character of the
boat. He left here on the Minnesota
Belle for Prescott The Luella left at
the same time, but speedily outdistanc-
ed the side-wheeler, making two miles
while it made one.
RATHER AGENT.
AT Prescott, where there was large
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-04-01
First Candidates Under
Commission Form

Here are the first candidates for
office in Rock Island under the COM
mission form of municipal govern
inent in the alphabetical order in
which their names will appear on the
official ballot, and the avOcation of
each:
MAYOR.
George wash ngton McCaskrin,
attorney, present mayor
Harry NJ. ScFlIiVeF. attorney.
COMMISSIONERS.
Jonas Bear. retired merchant
=. J. Carlson. carpenter.
Archie Hart. conductor Tri-City
Railway company.
Grin Holt, mechanical engineer.
=. Juhl- retired contractor.
Martin RI.dCrcn, city clerk.
L. II. Reynolds. attorney.
(. J. suii'h. pctiCc magistrate
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-04-01

Indian settlement, he landed with his
steamboat company. 1t was from that
port in 1856 that young Merrick really
/ began his memorable career on the
Mississippi river. He shipped out as
the cabin boy on the steamer Cassel
In 1857 he was made cub" engineer
which post he held till the fall of the
same year, when he was made mud
clerk. The office is now designated as
that of second" clerk In those days
there were no paved levees. and il was
the duty of the second clerk to wade
out into the mud and check up the car
go, and usually he returned with scv-
eral pounds of mud adhering to his
legs.
STUDIED THE RIVER.
In 1858 Clerk Merrick began a study
of the river, working under the direc-
ton of Captain Thomas Burns. one of
the best known river men of his day.
He thoroughly learned the river be
tween Galena and St. Paul and parts
of the ST. CroiX. He served In the ca
pacity of pilot till the year 1862, when
in August an urgent call for 300. 900
recruits was sent out by President Lin
coin. Forty-five members of the crew
of the boat enlisted, and il was neccs-
sary to tie up the boat.
That was the last service which Cap.
tain Merrick saw on the Mississippi
river. After serving till the close Of
the war he settled in the east. where
he resided for years. He then came to
Wisconsin, and was a publisher and an
editor Of a paper at River Falls. At
present he is an auditor Of the Univcr-
sity of Wisconsin. His lecture is un-
der the head of extension work at the
university.
HAS MUCH TO TELL.
He began to lecture on the subject
some Is years ago. upon the sugges
tion of some one who had heard some
of his yarns" He wrote a lengthy
lecture. and found that it included but
a small part of his material, so he fin
ished with a 500 page book. which az.
pears under the same title as that OF
his lecture.
Captain Merrick left this noon for
Dubuque, where he is to deliver his
lecture tomorrow evening. He was
calling on a number of friends in this
city this morning, and visited at The
Argus office.
All the news all the time-The
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-04-01
City Chat
Buy a home of Reidy Bros.
Kerler Rug company, cleaners.
Tri-City Towel Supply company.

Kerler Rus company, cleaners.
Tri-City Towel Supply company.
For express, call Spencer & Trefz.
Wall paper, the best for the money,
at L. s. McCabe & Co.
City Steam laundry. Reid & Boil
man Old phone now west 127.
Fresh river fish at 1913 Third ave-
nue., West 1892. We deliver.
Mrs. Austin's buckwheat flour gives
you really good wholesome breakfast.
Let William Johnson do your tin and
furnace work; 1916 Third avenue.
Mrs. Austin's buckwheat -four gives
you really good wholesome breakfast.
All kinds of mems hats cleaned,
blocked and repaired at Blasche's.
Mrs. Austin's buckwheat -four gives
you a really good wholesome breakfast.
H T. Siemon wants your tin and
furnace work; 1526-15z8 Fourth ave-
nue..
Loans on real estate security. AL
bert Huber, Peoples National bank
building.
Mrs. Karr, corset maker will open
her parlors at 424 Nineteenth street
on April 3.
Happy Hour coffee, the best for ev-
cry occasion, at Littig & Stahmer's
sanitary grocery.
DR.. Emily Wright has changed her
Office from 17161z Second avenue to
417-41s Safety building.
Five hundred unredeemed suits, al
50 suit cases and all kinds OF watches,
diamonds, etc, on sale at Deutsch's
loan office, 800 Twentieth street.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-04-01
AN ALLEGED THIEF
IS ARRESTED HERE
Roy Denure of Peoria Found Hiding
at DisOrderly House-Taken
Back to Face ACcuser.

Roy Denure, wanted in Peoria to
answer to charges of larceny, was
arrested in this city yesterday by
a deputy from the sheriff's Office The
man was found at disorderly house
where he was being sheltered by
one of the women inmates of the
place. He was taken back to Peoria
this morning. Henry Well of Pc
oria is the complainant He claims
that Denure decamped with a suit
case and a quantity of clothing
which was the property of the plain
tiff
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-04-01
The Democratic
Township Ticket

The democratic township ticket.
which should not be overlooked in the
excitement of Tuesdays election. is
composed of representative men, wor-
thy of the confidence and support of
the people.
The candidates for assistant super
visors are: John McShane, Andrew
Math, S. ]. Stader. Frank Meenan, Jo-
seph Lerch, and William Trefz, while
Frank King is the candidate for con-
stable
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-04-01
The Philosophy of the Preference for Mayor

to municipal
nent
The it.
the principles of the
onnmsd FORM.
Argus approved
n administration
lis in lie
PERSONAL
municipal
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-04-01
GERALD HUGHES.

Gerald Hughes, 15-months-old son
of Mr.. and Mrs. Virgil Hughes, So .
Thirty-first street, died last night
shortly before ! 2o'clock after brief
illness of pneumonia and measles.
The body will be taken to Trenton,
Mo, this evening over the Rock Is
land road and burial viii take place
there Monday afternoon.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-04-01
Every family and especially tho

Every family and especially those
who reside in the country should be
provided at all times with a bottle
OF Chamberlain Liniment. There
is no telling when it may be wanted
IN case of an accident or emergency.
IT is most excellent in all cases OF
rheumatism, sprains and bruises.
Sold by all druggists.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-04-01
FIRE PERIL TO 1870 MINERS
Air Supply Cut OF by Blaze but All
Reach Safety

Springfield. III, April The
lives OF 100 miners were imperiIed
yesterday when fire starting in the
wooden walls OF the air shaft of the
Cantrall Cooperative Coal mine
spread TO the fan house, stopping
the machinery and cutting of the
air supply. The miners were hastily
brought TO the top. The property
loss was $4,000.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-04-01
WILL RUN TWO FERRIES

Davenport Comes Up To Begin Sea-
sons Work Between Cities.
The ferry Davenport came up to-
day all resplendent with new paint
and will take its place running OPP
Dosite the ferry Rock Island. which
has been busy since the river
opened.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-04-01
ALL SIGNS ARE
FOR SCHRIvER
Election Indications as Far as
the Mayoralty Is Concerned
in Rock Island.
PLENTY OF MONEY READY
Betting Is All on One Side so Far
as The Argus Has Learned
Big Vote Expected.

With the approach Of the first cleo
ton in Rock Island under the commits
sion form Of government, interest in
the outcome is becoming more appar-
ent and the prospects are for a big
vote. This is all that could be desired
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-04-01
Yours for fairness,
HARRY NJ. SCHRIVER.
UPHELD BY MIR. CAMPBELL.

Rock Island, April EDITOR The
Argus: | have read the foregoing arti-
Gle signed by Mr.. Schriver in reference
to the above mentioned property, and
desire 10 inform the public what he
says is true
l was the guardian of the children
referred TO, and Mr.. Schriver paid me
5000 for their benefit, which my attor-
ney advised me to accept The prop
erty in question / considered worth
from 81 900 to $1,000.
l further state that Mr. Schriver did
in no way take any advantage of the
children | represented.
THOMAS CAMPBELL.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-04-01

De Brokc-.oo I:l,. tailor called again
with bis bill: Did YOU say was out
His Man-Tes. sir. and told him that
thought he was. too.-Boston Tran
script
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-04-01
Money Goes
Easily

When it about with
But there is safety and satisfaction putting
eud savings
vatve management of this good bank
IS
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-04-01

All the news all the time-The
Argus.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-04-01

At Prescott, where there was large
The evening world., 1911-04-13
KiSh-AmeyiCQnS
TO Stage Boxing
Championships

The Iriah-AmsrIcan Athletic Club has
been awarded tine Metropolitan BOXING
championships. and has decided to hold
them at their clubhouse. No. 40 East
Flfty-ninth street. on Tuesday and
Thursday evenings, April % and p. The
entire championship list Of classes will
De contested. bantam to heavyweight.
In the just completed lSj
entries were received. II has been CON
coded by boxing fans that the class OF
boys who competed was the best lot
of boxers that ever boxed in an amateur
rname 1t is expected. owing 20
these being the championships. that
fun 200 entries viii be received.
The accommodations at this clubhouse
for handling a show OF this magnitude
are the most perfect OF any OF the attn
letlc clubs in the Metropolitan district.
The auditorium in which the show ~
staged will easily seat 1000 spectators.
giving a fine view o, the ring from any
part of the house.
The evening world., 1911-04-13
NeWsy Notes From,
Dodgers Camp in
Dear Did BQWStOn

BOSTON. April 15.-1t was n OF the
largest crowds that has seen an opening
OF the season at the old National League
Park since the invasion Of the American
League in Boston yesterday.
Brooklyn tried hard to win the OPEN
ing RAM hut the Rustlers under Ten
ney came strong in the eighth Inning
after the visitors solitary tally had been
chalked up and went them one better In
their half. Graham's timely wallop for
two bases was responsible for the two
taIlies and 1t proved eSough TO carry off
tho Victory.
u was announced to-day that Graham
and the owners OF the Boston club had
cone to an agreement on the salary
question and that Graham had put his
John Hancock" to a contract for the
season of 1911. It's dollars to d~oughnu;s
that Graham got his price.
Zlm~nerman's work at third was the
sensation OF the opening. Flo made NO
remarkably clever stops and throws ana
got away with n lucky three-bas ser.
The evening world., 1911-04-13

eight bases up balls, and at one time
pund the bases fun OF Giants, with
two out. Apparently that a no stop
ping effect upon his efforts. for he
whistled those diulty little curves
around until the danger had passed.
The players who had the most OPP
p%ortunitics to pick out n wallop and
win were SnodSrass and Murray. but
when the final test came on elcn round
at the bat they would pull the trigger
and Whit at "A little curve that broke
FAR away from the pan.
phillies Look Pcppery.
It would be difticult to dra~ a con
clusion as to actual strength of III.
teams from nat exhibition on the open
ing day, hut the Phillies look to be a
very poppery organization. IL they
would manaue to lay off Of New York
everything would be satisfactory. They
could be used to hammer down tht
other clubs that are going TO crowd the
Giants for the flag later on. But tn.
Phillies have a very unhappy faculty OF
handing us the same dose and there Is
nothing 10 do but sit up and take It.
That Doom Intends TO take every
chance on base running was in evidence
the minute the club stepped on the
field. Three amer in succession wers
made TO steal on the first bail pitched
and one OF them met with success. ThC
Giants went at them with the same sort
OF game, and OF the Ave who tried Il
The evening world., 1911-04-13

steal on. Doom I'VE succeeded. The
lucky men We're De Wore and Devlin,
hut all Of their efforts went for naught
when the next batters failed to deliver
tho necessary bingle.
1t was too cold for very speedy base
ball, and the batters on both sides
played "A waiting game throughout.
Ames had such good control, however,
that the Philliss made nothing by that
scheme. In fact ne had them on his
hip so well hat he struck out eight
OF them. and up TO the seventh inning
they hadn't secured a hit.
Many OF the 30,00 fans wondered why
McGraw sent Becker In 10 bat for Dew
lin in the ninth. The manager had a
good reason. Becker is a left-handed
swinger. and when he connects he
usually knocks the ball a mile. The
right field fence is close IN at the Polo
Grounds. and McGraw was taking a
chance on Becker getting in a hard
slap and sending the ball over for a
home run. Deviin Is a natural left
field hitter. and there Is little chance
of getting a home run In that direction.
The chances are that Ot!e Crardall
ur Bugs Raymond will take a whirl at
fine Phillies this afternoon and make
an effort 10 lift the Coogan's Bluff
| crowd from the second division. For
two years now Chicago n New York
have started off at the bottom. with
Boston on top. and It mustn't last toe
long
The evening world., 1911-04-13
BOXING IN STATE
TO Be REGULATED
BY commission
That Is if Bill Senator FraWley
Introduces Next Monday
Night Passes.

ALBANY. April IA state athletic
commission to regulate boxing and
sparrinE is proposed by a bill to be in
PRODUCED Monday night by Senator
James J. Frawley. The commission OF
three members. appointed by the Gov
erncr. is to nave sole direction and
Jurisdiction over all boxing and spar
ring matches. These matches are to
Re conducted only by clubs licensed BY
the commission and refereed by men
approved by the. state commission.
The commission may appoint In each
city in which a club with a boxing
license is located a physician. who shall
mako an examination OF the physlca
condition of such persons as may apply
10 him for the purpose OF ascertainihg
whether they may, In his opinion. be
able to undergo without unusual dan
ger or injury TO themselves the exer-
tion and ordeal OF a boxing or sparrlng
match.
In case the physician shall deem an
applicant so qualified he shall furnish
the person with a certificate Of thai
fact. which shall become invalid after
the lapse of one year from the day o.
It's issuance. Upon the hling with the
commission of such certificate and
III " INA INT IfE SUN Ilt ~ hheA'
toned Is of good moral character and
has never been convicted of a crime,
the commission may issue TO such per-
son a license to engage in boxing and
sparring matches for a period OF not
more than one year. The license fee
is $50.
Each boxing club within twenty-four
hours after the determination of n con
test shall furnish the commission a
written report showing the number OF
tickets sold. the amount OF gross pro-
ceeds and such other data as the COM
mission may require. 1t shall also pav
p tax of 3 per cent. OF its total gross
receipts to the state Comptroller, out
Of which tax the expenses of the com
mission viii hc paid.
Any contestant who shall participate
en- an sham or fake boxing or n
club which ma, conduct such an eH-
ADDITION shall forfeit its license. In the
case of a contestant VINO participated
IN a FAX bout, 90 addition to the for
/ fciture of his license. ne shall be dS-
clarcl guilty OF "a m,sdomelnor.
No boxing or spnrr.ng match shall be
more than fifteen rounds. anl the con-
! testauts shall Vea. gloves Weighing
: at least eight ounces. Tho sale o.
liquor IS prohibited w..oin the building
where b'Aius or sDavrlng matches are
conducted.
The evening world., 1911-04-13
For Third Year Running, Red
Topped Twirler Loses a
Close Game.
BY g

A CCORDING to Leon Anies. the ac:
~ OF being the annual "Paisey" for
the opening of the bail season
isn't what It's cracked up TO be, ana
from this tim on he proposes TO hid
in the rain barrel and remain there un-
Ill the big guns have been fired and
the brass band is silent.
1T wouldn't he so tough. you know"
explained the sorrell-topped pitcher last
night. "if they walked up and gave me
a good trimming by busting my curves
In the nose. but the tough going Is
when the players meet me after the
game and say: Tough luck, Red. but
II wasn't your fault. You certainly
pitched good ball That pitching good
ball thing Is all right In a way. but il
certainly Is lacking In n~ourishment,'
For three years now Ames has gone
to the front and pitched mid-season
ball only TO be trimmed at the last
minute by an accidental play. MOI
once In those three years has the team
been able to hit behind him. and all
the good pitching in the world couldn I
win without a run.
The hoodoo that has surrounded
Ames is certainly OF the clinging varl-
ETY.. and It will take more than Muir
phys Irish flags to shake Il loose. II
lis not often that a ball game is won
| by a batter dodging n ball, but mat
IS the way the luck broke aaginst
Am.S and elected hin the permanent
| chairman OF the Patsey Cluh of Amer
lea.
Magee Cot Fluky Hin.
Everything had gone smoothly until
the ninth inning. when with one OUT
and a man on bases Sherwood Magee
tucked his head and ran from an IN
shoot that was coming dangerously
close 20 his dome. As he doubled M
and hit the dirt the ball struck the
bat that was protecting his head ana
rolled out In the diamond. Ames mad.
"A run Tor IT, but he was so hurried
mt his throw TO first was "A little wide
and both the amer We're safe. IA
kert was AN easy out and but for th'
accidental touching Of tho ball uN
Magee tho side would have been out
with nary a run across the rubber
A. Il was, Luuerus, who had siruol
ont on TWO previous occasions, got one
In his groove and belted 1t 90 deep LEI
for two bases. That wallop broke 40
the game. " srored two runs ana thd'
was a sufilCiency,
The $1,000 fans who went 20 the Poi,
Grounds On the opening day cNpectiul
20 see the Giants wallop the pail al
over the lot were bitterly d~lsappointeI
lne only hits made for New Norl
landed safely IN the first and eigAt'
innings. and that Is TOO much Of dis
tance for them to carry, The Giant
had ample opportunity 10 win by n hi'
but that needed single Was never forth
coming, ana there you are.
Earl Moore showed our young heroe
something chat they had not seen "a
spring. and at the end he was gcttiu
stronger. Mr.. Moore was "A rathe
lucky Individual at that. lie gay
The evening world., 1911-04-13
Local Boy Working Hard and
Faithfully for Bout Against
Packey Mcfarland.
THERE isn't a classier lightweight
In the pugtlistic game than Tom

THERE isn't a classier lightweight
In the %pugtlistic game than Tom
my Murphy. tho local product.
when he Is right; but Tommy has an
unavoidable habit OF going wrong at
crucial times. On these latter occasions
Tommy has been known to risk his
sporting popularity by the announcer
ment OF a sudden Illness at the eleventh
hour.
He has disappointed The sporting world
In more than one instance by calling off
important engagements. but always at
the cost OF several hundred dollars to
himself. Incidentally. he has saved
thousands OF other ~greenbacks for his
friends. who usually back him. Crit
cism has followed those Murphy disap-
~pointments, but underlying them all the
streak OF honesty OF purpose OF the
Harlem la has always. gone TO his
credit with the unbiased.
Murphy Is Fright" Now.
To-day Tommy Murphy is RIGHT. and
It is a pleasure to note It. He is train
ing again for the first time since tina,
desp.cable malaria handed him a severe
body wallop NJ in Fishkill and necessi-
ta;ed the indefinite p-ostponement of his
second bout with *. q. Brown, which
has Yet to be teclded. And what q
changed boy he is! The writer saw
Murphy up in Fishkill. and then ne
looked more like a candidate for a san!
tarium than n fight. He was a play.
thing in his training bouts for the veri,
table novices who boxed daily with him
He knew he wasn't right. but stuck u
The evening world., 1911-04-13
AL belmont WINS CLOSE
BOUT FROM MONTE ATTell.

BOSTON. April l~3.-Although Al Del
mont was declared the winner over
Monte Attell OF California In their
twelve.round bout at the Armory A, A..
he had a very close call. From the third
TO tie tenth round belmont fell or con
siderable and did a good deal of clinch-
ing.
IN th5 last TIVE -cGras n.,rscct showed
his old-time form. He Jabbed Attell a
number Of times In the face ana crossed
the right to the face and jaw. Attell
countered with the r1gnt on the ribs
several times and the left he poked
| into Delmont's face occasionally. Del
mont was given the decision. 1t WA a
popular one.
The evening world., 1911-04-13

why do YOU watch the baseball hui
le,ins 80 carefully" asked one oma
My husband is an e~nthus!ast over tho
game" replied the other. II make II a
rule never to discuss household or Mill
merry expenses with him except on days
when the home team wins