Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-10-24

been erected here, employing approx
mately 1000 men. Silvis is the name
of this railway city, which already
makes claim to distinction in its paw
ed streets and other public spirited
Improvements.
WATERFOWL, which borders on the
Mississippi river, in addition to the
state institution, also boasts Of anoth-
er point of interest, in the historical
Campbell's island, which played an i'm
portant part in the war of 1872. The
first of two important battles with In
dian, Chief Black Hawk, who was a
friend of the British, was fought on
this island in June. 1914. A monu-
ment has been erected commemorate
ing this historical spot. The island
is now utilized as a thriving and
healthy summer resort.
Connecting Watertown, East Moline,
Moline and Rock Island with the west
ern outlet of Davenport, there are IS
miles of continuous permanent pave
ment tbrick and aspAllt) now in OPP
Grafton. This long stretch of model
paved highway will form part of the
scenic short route from Sterling to
the tri-cities. The Rock River Valley
Route association is now making great
Roadway In its plans to make the bal
ance OF this exceptionally picturesque
route one of the most serviceable hard
surfaced roads in the state of Illinois.
Should the Lincoln Highway asso-
ciatSn deem it eXpedient to utilize
this tri-city route from Sterling, they
will find royal welcome and hearty
cooperation all along the line from
Sterling to Omaha. West of Daven.
port there are two active organizations
now in the field, completing plans to
make an ideal highway across the
state of Iowa.
The route most favored is the River
to River road from Davenport to Des
Moines and the Great VIZ e Way from
Des Molnes to Omaha. 1t is claimed
that this route from Sterling to Omaha
via the tri-cities is approximately 81
miles shorter than the designated Lin
coin highway route via Clinton, that
the population is nearly four times
as great and that the paving in and
OFT of the cities~is threefold greater.
In addition it passes through the CAPT
tai of the state of Iowa and through
the county seat OF every county except
one. Tie feet that it will serve an
other army post ar Des Moines is an
other point in its favor.
Mr.. Woodcock has a letter from A.
r. Pardington, vice president of the
Lincoln Highway association, written
after the latter had read Mr.. Wood
cocks address before tie American
road congress. MIR. Pardington, in the
course of his letter, says:
In discussing this situation with
your fellow townsmen and others
trust you viii make clear to them two
or three most salient points, and they
I are: First, that the Lincoln highway
as now routed does not reach a single
/ one Of the large cities from which our
major subscriptions come This in.
/ cludes Akron, Ohio, $500, 900: Detroit,
/ Mich, over half million dollars; In
dianapolis the same; Toledo, $3.50, 900;
Chicago, an ever-inereasing sum. Sec
I
, through no city or town which can be
claimed as place OF permanent or
/ temporary residence of a single one
of the directors Of this association.
Third. the natural topography of the
country traversed in large measure
OF cases, governed the selection Of the
route. Jacob Murdoch of Johnstown
Pa WIN was the frat am a fa,.r fropz
continental tourist about ten years
ago, and who has made repeated trans
continental tours over the numberless
routes which are claimed as ideal. in a
recent letter to me said: God Al
mighty made the route Of the Lincoln
highway, while you gentlemen in De
sroit have merely given It the nans
'iof The Lincoln Highway II re