Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-02-28

Colonel Swiftb gun went booming !
across the Mississippi, arousing the
echoes from the majestic bluffs II
was a glorious day for Rock Island, /
and for her neighboring city across
the river The citizens o: those places
had looked forward to il for years,
some OF them with fear and tremb-
ling. lest their eyes should not behold
II. Hundreds OF people from the con-
tiguous country, both in Illinois and
Iowa, had come in TO witness the
scene, and 70 mingle their shouts and
congratulations with their city neigh
bors. Delegations were here from
most Of the river towns from Dubuque
10 St Louis. and some had come from
the far interior towns of Iowa, for
they knew hat the arrival Of the iron
horse upon the banks OF the Mississip-
pl was bur an earnest Of his speedily
appearing beyond i, and stretching
on his destined course toward the Pa
ciflc We think we are not above the
mark in estimating the number pres
ent, on the arrival OF the train, at
from 5000 TO 5000 persons
The speeches were highly appro-
pirate 70 the occasion. and ELECTED
throughout, enthusiastic applause from
the vast concourse. While the things
were occurring within, a grand spec
tacle was witnessed without The
two cities OF Rock Island and Daven-
port we're most beautifully illuminated.
The windows OF stores. private resi-
dences and public buildings, were lit
up on both sides Of the river. and
the lights reflected back from the bos-
ON Of the Mississippi, were indefinite
I ly multiplied. the whole presenting a
scene Of imposing grandeur. After
/ the reading Of the regular toasts
large portion Of the company, headed
. by the Moline brass band, marched
in procession through the principal
streets of the city. Others remained
In the depot until a late hour. Mr..
Bailey Of Rock Island presiding, where
. speeches and sentiments beguiled the
passing hours. We regret that our
limits precluded a report Of the many
good things that were offered.
Much credit is due to the people
Of Rock Island for the handsome man
ner in which the celebration was got
ten up and conducted, and for the hos
pitable manner in which private
houses we're thrown open to accommo-
date the multitude of strangers. The
people Of Davenport and Moline also
threw open their mansions with the
some hospitabIe spirit, and we think
everybody was comfortably provided
for
In concluding our notice of the
opening Of this road, we wish once
more 70 allude to the successful man.
ner Of its prosecution. The history OF
railroads presents no parallel TO il
some companies may have built a
greater number of miles Of road in as
snort period, but never before has
individual enterprise shouldered and
borne forward so rapidly to triumph
ant comp elton such a work as this
, and let II no, be forgotten that large
portion OF the road has been built il
the face Of a stringent money market
but while many companies have beer
! compelled to hold up from this cause
Messrs Sheffield and Farnam hav,
, moved steadily onward with tbei
great work as though no cloud ha,
darkened the financial sky of the coun
try. Surely there is a triumph 70
? winch they may justly feel an homes
pride
- We desire, also, to do justice to tn,
faithful and Jealous labors OF WI
liam Jervis. Esq, the chief engineer O
this road. From the beginning he ha
4 been always at his post and to hi
4 skill and efficiency much OF the credi
N Tor the admirable character Of tn
work and its speedy completion.
due But We must close. without IN,
Their enumeration All honor to a
!, the men who have in any way aide
IN the advancement OF this great er
- terpTise"