Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-08-27

Tooth anniversary of the latter battle
is to be observed on Sept. next
Were Men of VaIor.
1T would require a volume to do
justice to the pioneers of Rock Island
county. As an illustration of their
,advenIuresome daring, | cite the case
Of one of the early traders who To-
Gated under the protecting guns of
Fort Armstrong.
Prior to his settlement here, he
had penetrated the wilderness in
search of furs as far as Alaska, had
been imprisoned by the Russians. hades-
capped from the Siberian mines, and
after four years of wandering had
made his way around the world to
New York. where he received pay in full
for his four years of time from his
employer. John Jacob Astor-a fund
sufficient for his venture in the Indian
trade. His name was Russell Farm
hama name familiar in the early
land titles. Farnhamsburg- first
settlement on the Illinois shore-was
christened in his honor. | well remem-
her this cluster of cabins standing near
the railroad across the street from the
Cable residence on Fifth avenue, and
the spring still flowing in the Cable
yard furnishing the drinking water.
In one of these houses our first court
was held. then called in the court rec
ord the House of John Barrett
"Farnham's associate built on the
Island a residence more pretentious
than any in the upper Mississippi val
ley. The tragedy there enacted forms
a part of our history and is familiar to
all of us Around that hearth lavish
hospitality was dispensed to every
ycnturesome, noted guest Tradition
tells us that while visiting at this hos
pitable home, Sarah Taylor, daughter
of Zachary Taylor. who commanded at
the battle of Credit island, afterwards
twelfth president of the United States
formed an attachment for Lieutenant
jefferson Davis, then one of the forts
garrison. and that afterwards TO thwart
the fathers opposition, a most roman
tic elopement took place from Fort
Prairie du Chen. The influence of
Jefferson Davis when secretary of war
saved the island as military reserva-
ton. subsequently to be used as pris-
on for those following him in rebel
lion against the government he had
formerly so faithfully served.
Home Is Preserved.
Such are the memories that cluster
around this ancient mansion. Corroded
and blistered by the elements, gnawed
by the tooth of time, its tenacious tim
bers had crumbled when under the
patriotic leadership of members of this
society who are always unselfishly
serving the public. assisted by the
munificence of the granddaughter of
its founder, a restoration was effected. /
II now stands preserved, a reminder !
of the past. a monument to the public /
spirit of the Old Settlers association I
of Rock Island county.
But while | am thus rambling and /
spinning "reminiscences of early Rock /
Island county, ! may be pardOned in !
recalling an exploit in town building |
following ancient Farnhamsburg /
| refer to the plating of Rock Island /
city. A real estate boomer named Tur- |
ner conceived the idea that the future !
of the west should find its !
location at the confluence of two |
rivers and that the particular juncture |
thus to be favored was marked by !
the site of the Indian city located f;
where Rock river flows into the Mis-
sissippi at the base of Black Hawks
Watch Tower where we are now as
sembled. Prompted by his laudable
purpose he acquired title to a section
Of land and plated his metropolis. His
plat graces the records of our county.
likewise his deeds to Daniel Webster
and Caleb Cushing. each of whom was
evidently impressed so much with the
prospects or with the elo- /
luence OF the promoter that thousands
Of dollars were paid for an undivided
nterest-at least so the deeds recite.
The records furnish the sole evidence
IF Rock Island city as the successor to
ancient Sank a-nauk.
A Story Untold.
Instead of this recital. If
we're endowed with eloquence ade-
luate. l would undertake to requite
your courtesy by dwelling on the hard /
ships endured. the privations suffered.
he dangers ventured by the pioneers |
# Rock Island county, and would en-
ieavor TO illustrate how sterling char |
icter issues from such a meltiag pot.