Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-06-19

Flashed ny wireless telephone a sig
nal started by President Wilson at
Washington formally opened at noon
today the celebration OF the centen-
NAL Of the first permanent settlement
CT this locality. In the executive Of
fees at Washington the president
pressed a button. The signal was re-
ceived by station erected on the
grounds by the Davenport High
School Wireless club. Cheers broke
forth from the crowd and whistles
and bells sounded in the three cities
Immediately following receipt Of the
fash.
The presidents message came just
al the close of the formal dedicatOTy
ceremonies for the reproduced block
house at the west point Of the island.
These were begun at the site of the
block house and concluded at d stand
improvised in front OF the grand
stand several blocks east Of the main
entrance gate of Rock Island arsenal
Reproductions of the battles Of
CampbelTs island and Credit island
were omitted because it was found
Impossible 10 stage the exhibitions in
the allotted time.
The first number Of the mornings
program was a salute Of y guns fired
at 6:l5 at the arsenal. At 10 o'clock
several thousand people had assembled
at the west point OF the island for the
block house dedication. What they
saw was closely copied after the ad-
vent Of United States soldiers May 10,
1916, when the expedition under the
command Of Colonel William Law
renee arrived by boat from St. Louis
and formally took possession Of the
Island for military purposes.
Soldiers Come On Barge.
Starting al the Rock Island Boat
club landing a barge built to re-
semble the keel boats of old and laden
With men dressed in old blue uni
forms, proceeded to the point of the
Island and there landed and took
possession Of the block house. A flag
Of 1872 was run up on the staff, bug
lars sounded assembly" Dean Mar
maduke Hare of Davenport pro-
bounced an Invocation and the formal
words Of dedication we're spoken by
Phi Mitchell OF this city. who said:
We are met today to consecrate the
work so n0bly begun by our fore
fathers 100 years ago in the establish
ment of Fort Armstrong, and to dedi-
cate this reconstructed block house to
Inc memory Of the old settlers and
pioneers Of Rock Island county, lill-
hols, and Scott county Iowa.
Rebuilt on the original site 1t is
nequeatheg to our descendants with
NE fullest confidence in their patriot
Ism to preserve it as a monument for
al tine. not only 10 the struggles Of
MS Immediate frontier, but symbolic
ing the winning OF this wide domain
iof thai grand old flag which floats
ABOVE us
Adjourn to Grand Stand.
After the brief address Of MIR.
hltchell the band played THE Star
spangled Banner" the assembly
pinihg with song. AID the meeting ad-
ohtned to the main avenue IN front
VI NE grand stand Here Mr. Mitchell,
VINO presided. formally welcomed the
,nthors and introduced the speakers
mere were addresses by Colonel
HSeorge W. Burr, qommandant OF Rock
ISLAND arsenal; Mrs. Katherine Deere
natter~orth, national vice president
LAe Daughters Of the American
Nes9iutlon; Mrs. Annette Guyer Kim
oaA, hrst regent of Fort Armstrong
eI%gter d. A. F. OF this city, and by
'uoPernor Sam r. VanSant OF Min
,sesotd Governor VanSant, who Is a
He OF Rocb Island, spoke inter
uahsiy OF the very earliest history Of
e community. He said in part.
luiIy appreciate the honor in be-