Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-05-10

lanu. captain BllsS Hdu dlsO Hsdib
the shots and hastily gathered to-
gether his company and started to
meet the enemy, while the man left
in charge OF the fort began to prepare
it for siege. Captain Bliss and his
company had nearly gotten to Rock
river before they met the two men
who had caused the trouble and VINO
were running after the fleeing set
tiers trying to explain their mistake.
1t is said the captains remarks, upon
hearing their explanation, would not
look we'll in print.
After the War.
1.-THE history OF the fort after the
close of the Black Hawk war is soon
told. After the battle Of Bad Axe,
Black Hawk, his son and other chiefs
were captured and delivered to Gem
eral Scott, who brought them to ROCK
Island, where on Sept. 81, 1882, they
signed treaty of peace, nominally at
Fort Armstrong, but the actual trans
action, because of cholera raging at
the fort, took place in Iowa upon the
spot where the Indian interpreter. An
tome LIE Claire's residence was built
and which site is now marked by a
monument erected by the Davenport
chapter. d. A. r.
The following year took place the
last important scene which the olo
fort saw. This was the formal dis
charge Of Black Hawk and his chiefs
into the custody of his rival. Keokuk.
There were no further hostilities with
the Indians at Rock Island, and IN
May, 1886, the garrison which had
been maintained here was sent to Fort
Smelling. Only an officer and a few
men were left to care for the property,
and even they were removed in the
following November, and the fort was
deserted The same year the build
ings were sold to Colonel Davenport,
who had those that were Of use pull
ed down and moved to Davenport
''In 1910 some OF the buildings were
repaired and an ordnance depot was
established at the fort and maintain
ed till 1S45, when the stores were
moved to St. Louis. From then on it
was in charge of different custodians
till Oct 7, 1855, when some vandal
set fire to the picturesque ruins and
they were completely destroyed. When
in 1863 the United States government
commenced the construction of the
Rock Island arsenal, the last remains
of Fort Armstrong were removed to
make room for the first storehouse.
and it is said that the window frames
in the basement of this building are
made from oak timbers obtained from
the old fort.
"And so closes the story of Fort
Armstrong, once the center and scene
Of so many important and interesting
historical activities of pioneer days
in this vicinity"
Black Hawk Praised.
At the conclusion of Mrs. Anderson
address the audience sang America
and this was followed by an address
on Black Hawk and Fort Armstrong
by j. H. Hauberg. Mr.. Hauberg has
made an exhaustive study of the early
Indian history of this section and
therefore was specially competent to
discuss this important theme. He
said that the name Fort Armstrong and
Black Hawk were inseparably connect
ed and recounted some interesting
facts concerning the stirring times OF
1912.
I'm, his day, Black Hawk was rated
by those who knew him intimately as
an honorable man in all his relations
This reputation was given him by
white men of affairs who are able to
Judge men and W. A. Meese, Moline, a
painstaking student of the life of Chief
Black Hawk comes to this conclusion
Had his skin been as white as his soul
this Indian warrior would have riser
high in the service of his country"
Mr. Hauberg declared that, although
the Indians had a strong desire fol
liquor that Black Hawk conducted q
vigorous campaign against its use, the
climax being reached when he took q
few of his braves to Vandruff's island
and deliberately destroyed Mr.. Wand
ruff's supply of liquor.
Was Military Genius.
In speaking of Black Hawks appli
cation OF modern methods of warfare
MIR. Hauberg declared; His theory Of
conducting battle as being used or
every field of Europe today is approved
alike by every military expert, anC
of course is adopted as the guiding
principle in the United States army
In his autobiography, Black Hawk, il
telling of his war experiences in Ohio
and Indiana during the war of 1872, il
which he observed the tactics of the
Americans, as we'll as the British, says
l explained to my people, the manner
in which the British and American.
fought. Instead of stealing upon eact
other and taking every advantage t
kill the enemy and save their own peo
pie, as we do, which with US is con
sidered good policy in a war chief
they march out in open daylight anC
fight, regardless of the number of war
riors they may lose. They al
fought like braves, but would not d.
TO lead a party with US. Our maxim
is, kill the enemy and save our owl
men. Those chiefs will do to paddle
canoe, but not to steer it
Truly, this son of the forest an,
plain was an extraordinary mortal, ant
We do credit to ourselves ON this occa
sion OF celebrating the building of For
Armstrong, to reverently call to minC
all that was good in this great Indial
leader, who made Fort Armstrong nee
essary for the advance of Christian
civilization"
Impressive Service.
After the Wennerberg Male chorus
again sang, the cornerstone for tn
block house was laid with fitting ant
impressive services. conducted by DR.
Andreen:
The following Scripture selection
were read alternately:
20 come, let US sing unto the Lord
let us make a joyful noise 10 the rocl
of our salvation"
For the Lord is a great God an,